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Site description (2023 baseline):
Site location and context
The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve (KSRNR) contains a tremendous diversity of physical geography, consisting of 14 geographic formations of mountains, plains, and plateaus, among others. The IBA is located within Al Jowf and Hail Province in Wadi As-Sarhan desert flats and sandy plains in the north of the country.
The IBA area serves as one of a few stop-over sites of the Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius and endangered eastern population of the Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. Apart from that they host wintering and migratory populations of the Endangered Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca, Steppe Eagle A. nipalensis and Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus.
In total, 25 species were recorded during winter surveys in 2022. This included 12 species of birds of prey (Accipitriformes, Falconiformes) and several waterbirds (Charadriiformes, Ciconiiformes, Gruiformes), especially in water reservoirs in Qurayyat and in Dawmat al-Jandal.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: variety of many species including Canis lupus arabs, Paraechinus aethiopicus and Lepus capensis. Reptiles: characteristic species such as Cerastes gasperettii, Rhagerhis moilensis and Acanthodactylus schmidti.
Vegetation: In the Tubarjal area of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve (KSRNR), there are more than 100 plant species, characterized by a diverse range of shrubs, perennial and annual herbaceous plants, and grass species, with an absence of tree species. This area has plant species that can adapt to saline habitats. In saline habitats, the characteristic plant species such as Halopeplis perfoliata, Seidlitzia rosmainus, Phragmites australis, and Cressa cretica. In all habitats except saline, the characteristic shrub species such as Haloxylon salicornicum, Achillea fragrantissima, Pulicaria nudulata, Traganum nudatum, Calligonum comosum, Atriplex leucoclada, Anabasis setifera, Zilla spinose, Astragalus spinosus, and Asteriscus graveolens. The perennial and annual herbaceous plants such as Polygonum palaestinum, Citrullus colocynthis, Centaurea pseudosinaica, Medicago laciniata, Salsola incanescens, Polygonum argyrocoleon, Trigonella stellate, Launaea nudicaulis, Diplotaxis acris, Althaea ludwigii, Plantago ciliate, Ifloga spicata, and Fagonia glutinosa. The grass species include Tetrapogon cenchriformis, Eremopyrum distance, and Schismus arabicus.
The IBA is predominated by Red Sea-Nubo-Sidian tropical desert and semi desert Ecoregion consisting mainly of huge flat expanses of sand, gravel plains, monotonous in character and incised periodically by gullies (wadis). In some areas the flat relief is punctured by isolated granite and sandstone mountains. This ecoregion is characterized by African floral elements (Acacia spp) in addition to rocky sudanian vegetation, and also by extensive penetration of the Arabian avifaunal and herpetofauna elements. The flanks of the IBA is Arabian Desert Ecoregion, mostly of Sandy Hammada vegetation characterized by Tmarix, Artemisia, and several annual herbs.
The area is part of the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve managed by the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Tabarjal (Saudi Arabia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/tabarjal-iba-saudi-arabia on 23/11/2024.
