The Unfenced Desert Towards a strategy for eco ... - Nwrc.gov.sa

Natural Features
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Landscape : At-Tubaiq is an eroded sedimentary plateau, demarcated by a
low escarpment from a sandy/gravel plain. Steep hills rise to 1055m as, and the
escarpment is deeply incised by wadis. The At-Tubaiq area contains areas of mobile
eolian sand in the north-west; intrusions of Al Busayta chert gravels in the north east;
and is predominantly composed of Tawil sandstone, with gravel sheets and trains
consisting of sandstone and chert.
Climate : Climate of the area is typical of northern steppe desert, tropical
and arid. Weather records have not been collected from camps within the reserve,
but the most reliable dataset comes from MEPA weather stations that bracket the
reserve, in Gurait, Dowmat al Jandal and Tabuk. Between 1985 and 1993, mean
monthly maximum and minimum ambient temperatures in Gurait ranged from 15.3 to
38.8 and 1.4 to 19.9 degrees centigrade, respectively. Data from the period 1985 to
1993 shows an overall mean annual rainfall of ~50 mm. Substantial rainfall may
occurs any time between November and March.
Water : There are no permanent above-ground water sources in At-
Tubaiq, though after heavy rains water will run off the escarpment and pools of water
will accumulate in depressions and hollows. All water used within the reserve is
brought into the camps by truck.
Vegetation : Dwarf shrubs are scattered across the plateau, concentrated in
shallow runnels. The hills, escarpments and gravel plains are largely bare of
vegetation, except in shallow dry watercourses and sand drifts where there is light
cover of perennial grasses. Canyon wadis have the greatest diversity of vegetation,
including Acacia trees. A total of over 140 plants species is estimated for the reserve.
Scenic values : Attractive plateau, escarpment and canyon wadi habitats,
composed largely of sandstones varying in colour from pale cream to dark red.
Key animals : The following mammals have been recorded in At-Tubaiq: ibex
(Capra ibex), wolf (Canis lupus), striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena), Rueppell's fox
(Vulpes rueppelli), red fox (Vulpes vulpes). The following mammals may be expected
to be present in the reserve: caracal (Felis caracal), sand cat (Felis margarita), wild
cat (F. silvestris), , ratel (Mellivora capensis), Ethiopian hedgehog (Paraechinus
aethiopicus), Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica), Cape hare (Lepus capensis),
and an assemblage of small mammals. Untended herds of camel (Camelus
dromedarius) range freely throughout the outer areas of the reserve. The Asiatic
jackal (Canis aureus) has been recorded close to the reserve and may be present at
least seasonally (Seddon et al. 1996).
There have been no systematic surveys of birds in the reserve, but lappetfaced
vultures have been recorded in the area.
Probability of seeing top six key animals :
Nubian ibex 3
Striped hyena 4
Red fox 3
Arabian wolf 4
Ruppell’s fox 3
Lappet-faced vulture 3
Key sites : According the rangers the remaining ibex in the area are largely
restricted to a small proportion of the reserve, encompassing certain canyons and
sections of the plateau.
Key seasons : Seasonal rutting period in Ibex is mainly in October through to
mid-November. Calves are dropped between March to May. Human disturbance