Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The site comprises a portion of the Nile river extending some 190 km between Luxor and Kom Ombo. The river forms an elongate wetland that meanders through the densely populated agricultural landscape of the Nile valley. Since the closure of the High Dam in 1964, the Nile down stream from Aswan experiences water-level changes of only small amplitude. This has allowed dense swamp vegetation, mainly
Phragmites and
Typha, to become established in many places along the riverbanks, which were previously largely devoid of vegetation. Bare sandy or muddy banks come into existence seasonally, depending on the water-level, which is lowest in winter. A number of islands are found along this stretch of the river, many of which hold good reed-swamp vegetation. About 40% of the arable land in this section of the Nile valley is cultivated with sugar-cane. Other crops are date-palms, maize, wheat and alfalfa. Fishing probably provides important income to many families inhabiting the region. In 1990, 589 boats and 1,178 fishermen were active on the Nile in Aswan Governorate.
See Box for key species. This is the stretch of the Nile river with the highest concentrations of wintering waterbirds in Egypt. In the winter of 1989/90, 21,100 waterbirds were counted in this region. The river immediately above the Isna Barrage appears to hold the largest numbers of waterbirds within the site. The islands are particularly attractive to resting waterbirds.
Aythya nyroca winters in internationally important numbers.
Netta rufina winters regularly in small numbers, while
Marmaronetta angustirostris is an irregular and rare winter visitor, last recorded from the area in 1983. This section of the Nile valley is likely to be of importance for staging waterbirds and other migrants, such as
Ciconia ciconia, during the migration seasons.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
All the islands in the Nile river were declared a Protected Area by Prime Ministerial Decree 1969/1998. Disturbance caused by a growing number of fishermen and tourist cruises is increasing. There is a substantial water-pollution problem caused by untreated discharge from sugar, phosphate and dairy factories, as well as from urban areas. Erosion of the Nile banks has become a problem since the construction of the High Dam. As a mitigating measure, long stretches of the Nile banks are being encased with rocks. This will alter the natural condition of this part of the Nile and potentially reduce its importance for waterbirds. Reed-control programs are likewise reducing vital waterbird habitat.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Upper Nile (Egypt). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/upper-nile-iba-egypt on 23/11/2024.
