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

designation as a resource use/natural reserve specifically encourages responsible
public access. In theory visits to the reserve are possible with prior agreement from
the NCWCD. In practise, picnic and overnight camping is popular with local people,
particularly during winter.
Natural Features
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Landscape : The Tuwayq escarpment forms the western boundary of the
reserve, which rises to the eastern plateau at about 700m to 1200 m asl. The
escarpment is composed of limestone deposits, and is cut by several major wadis,
forming steep-sided canyons.
Climate : Two seasons may be distinguished: a hot, dry summer in May
to August, with mean maximum temperatures over 40oC; and a cool winter with
around 50mm of rainfall.
Water : The wadis are prone to flash flooding following heavy rain, and
water pools may persist for several weeks. There is one perennial spring in Wadi
Ghaba, and water seeps are present in wadis Ghaba, Ghafar and Rahal. A borehole
and a small center-pivot irrigation sysem is maintained in conjunction with farms in
Wadi Bodhan. Otherwise water for camels and other animals is brought in by truck.
Vegetation : The plateau is largely devoid of vegetation, apart from a few
perennial shrubs and grasses in shallow depressions and drainage lines. Vegetation
is relatively abundant in the canyon wadis, particularly in the those areas protected
from livestock grazing. Rainfall run-off from the plateau and escarpment supports a
number of perennial species in the wadi bottoms, including Haloxylon, Capparis,
Salsola, Panicum, and Stipagrostis.
Scenic values : Steep canyons, vegetated wadis, and views from the broad
open plateau offer an example of the superb scenery typical of the Tuwayq
Escarpment.
Key animals : The following mammals have been recorded in the reserve:
Nubian ibex (`250 animals), reintroduced idmi gazelle (200+ animals), wolf (Canis
lupus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) wild cat (Felis sylvestris) Cape hare (Lepus capensis),
and rock hyrax (Procavia capensis). Feral dogs, sheep, goats and up to 1200
domestic camels are also present in the reserve.
The current bird list for the Ibex Reserve contains around 50 species.
Probability of seeing top six key animals :
Nubian ibex 2
Idmi gazelle 2
Red fox 3
Rock hyrax 3
Arabian wolf 4
Wild cat/Cape hare 4
Key sites : The fenced wadi heads are designated as SNR sites to provide
a core area without human disturbance to wildlife.
Key seasons : Idmi gazelle may drop calves in any month of the year, with
peaks in February to April, and August-September. Ibex rut takes place in October-
November, with calving in April. This suggests that human disturbance should be
reduced around April and September-October.