biological diversity and tropical forests in tunisia - PART

5.4.9. Lake ~unfs Prbtected Vetland 4500 ha
Lake Tucis was designated a Protected Wetland ic 1980. This statas
does cot recessitate habitat improvemect actions, although they are
allowed; however, actions that degrade the envirocmect should be stopped.
Lake Tunis is especially important because endangered birds (includicg
marbled teal, white-headed duck and peregrine) and Smportart cumbers of
other waterfowl and waders use the lake for feedjce and nesting. The
close proximity to Tunis enhances the cocservatior education value of the
lake.
Ucfortucately, the close proximity to Tunjs also make the space
valuable for development, and ic spite of the Protected Wetland status,
over 900 ha have been filled to provide a locatioc for the constrdctioc of
a new sectioc of cj ty. The project will evectually fjll over one-third of
this importact wetlacd and the habitat quality of the rest of the lake may
be degraded.
The developmect project has advacced too far to be stnpped cow, so
mitigatioc should be s o ~ ~ to h t imprwe the rest 3f the lake. Improvenects
coeld icvolve iccreasing water circ2latjoc ic the lake or excludic~ hdmac
activity aroucd the islacd of Chikly.
5.4.10. Aim Baccouch and Mhibes Reserves
Alocg the KromSrie mouctajc racge, a 90 ha a-ea at A i r Baccozch
(sectioc 3.4.1.4) acd a 370 ha area at Mhibes (sectioc 3.4.1.5) have beec
fecced to protect the ecdacgered barbary deer. Aic Baccozch coctains 50 -
100 deer, which is a large herd for the size of the reserve, so there are
placs to eclarge the reserve to 370 ha. Both reserves are domicated by
cork oak forest acd Aie Baccouch cortaics some maritime pice. Cocticued
mai~tecacce of the fences acd surveillacce of the reserves are carrect
macagemect coccercs.
5.4.1 1. Kechem el Kelb Reserve 303 ha
Ic 1970 a reserve was fecced on the mouctaic adjacect to Djebel Chambi
to protect the resident Cuvier's gazelles. Endangered hyecas also live ic
the reserve. The fecce was erected to keep the humacs and livestock out,
bat it does not keep the gazelles in, and some crop damage has beec
reported by local farmers. Current management priorities icclude:
maictecacce of the fecce, surveillacce of the reserve and ensuricg that
adeq~ate food and water are available to the animals. A large water
catchmect has been constructed to supply drickicg water acd palatable
cactds has beer planted outside the reserve to draw the gazelles away f r ~ m
fa.m crops.