|
Location:
29o28´N, 37o15´ E,
Area:
12,200 km2 ; Altitude at sea level
Type:
Special Nature Reserve, Biological Reserve, Resource
Use Reserve, and Natural Reserve.
Year of establishment:
1989 Natural Reserve
Objective:
The site was established primarily for Capra ibex To
protect the biological diversity and habitat of the
area Protection and reintroduction of endangered species
Research, education, tourism and recreation.
Management:
National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development
(NCWCD)
Geographical aspects:
This huge area is a raised platform of old, dark sandstone
rising 300 to 400 m above the undulating sandy plain,
which surrounds it. The ramparts are extremely broken
and rocky. It is precipitous in places but the plateau
is flat. There is no permanent water.
Flora:
Apart from a flush of ephemeral plant growth after rains,
vegetation is limited to drought-resistant shrubs (e.g.
Haloxylon) and grasses with a few stunted Acacia trees.
Fauna:
This is one of the last areas in Arabia where Struthio
camelus occurred and might be a possible reintroduction
site. It is one of the few places in Saudi Arabia where
Capra ibex is found.
|
