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Site description (2017 baseline):
Site location and context
The site lies within the Emirate of Fujairah on the east coast of the United Arab Emirates at approximately 23 km north-west of Fujairah town, 2 km south-west of Bidiyah village (Fujairah Emirate), 6 km north-east of Masafi town (Fujairah Emirate), 11 km south of Dibba town (Fujairah Emirate) and 5 km north-west of Khor Fakkan (Sharjah Emirate) town.
Compared to the UAE fauna and flora, the area hosts ca 44% of the terrestrial plants (ca 300 out of a total of 688), 42% of the terrestrial mammals (20 out of a total 48), 26% of the terrestrial reptiles (14 out of a total of 53),) and the only two amphibian species recorded for the country. The National Park hosts the only record of the Bloody Darter dragonfly (Crocothemis sanguinolenta) for UAE.
The area’s characteristic geology has created a unique hydrogeological system in the country that allows run-off water to emerge as springs at contacts between impermeable and permeable rock layers in several wadis. All the nine different
freshwater habitat types found here, ranging from riffle and stream to waterfall, are spring-fed with water flows alternating between underground and surface.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Overgrazing, water over-exploitation, human-wildlife conflict, habitat degradation.
The local decree #2 of 2009 for declaring Wadi Wurayah as a protected area was signed on 16 March 2009. The decree mentions the protection of Wadi Wurayah, Wadi Zikt and Wadi Maqsad and Swaideiyah catchment basins. Wadi Wurayah National Park is the first mountain protected area in the country, the 2nd Ramsar site in UAE, and the first National Park in the country.
Data-sheet compiled by: Dr. Ali Hassan Al Hammoudi,Sami Ullah Majeed, Swamiti Kakembo, Tharindu Kavinga, Omar Obeidat (Fujairah Municipality).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wadi Wurayah (United Arab Emirates). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wadi-wurayah-iba-united-arab-emirates on 23/12/2024.
