The Unfenced Desert Towards a strategy for eco ... - Nwrc.gov.sa
The Unfenced Desert Towards a strategy for eco ... - Nwrc.gov.sa
The Unfenced Desert Towards a strategy for eco ... - Nwrc.gov.sa
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Protected Area King Khaled Wildlife Reserve<br />
(Thumammah Nature Park<br />
Administrative features<br />
Category : Natural Reserve (core Biological Reserve)<br />
Date of creation : Captive-breeding center and core area passed to<br />
NCWCD control in 1986.<br />
Reasons <strong>for</strong> designation : Protection of plants and animals in natural habitats, and<br />
recreational use.<br />
Responsible agency :NCWCD is responsible <strong>for</strong> the KKWRC breeding and<br />
research station through contract to the Zoological Society of London; the Riyadh<br />
Local Authority administers the wider recreation area.<br />
Size and sectors : ~150km2, including the KKWRC 6km2 livestock<br />
exclusions zone.<br />
Emirate(s) : <strong>The</strong> reserve is situated in the Riyadh Emirate.<br />
Central co-ordinates : o 'N, o 'E<br />
Existing maps : <strong>The</strong> reserve is covered by the following map:<br />
• Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources 1:2,000,000: (1983)<br />
Management plans : <strong>The</strong> role of the KKWRC is set down in NCWCD<br />
strategic plans.<br />
Tourism <strong>strategy</strong> : <strong>The</strong> larger area is administered by the Riyadh Authority<br />
specifically <strong>for</strong> public recreation, this includes provision of camp sites and picnic<br />
grounds. KKWRC operates in<strong>for</strong>mal public visits to animal collections.<br />
Natural Features<br />
Landscape : <strong>The</strong> area is dominated by two limestone escarpments,<br />
separated by a plateau which overlooks a gravel plain cut by shallow wadis.<br />
Climate : Meteorological data is measured from Riyadh airport. Mean<br />
annual rainfall is around 120mm; mean annual temperature is ~25 o C.<br />
Vegetation : <strong>The</strong> major wadi channels hold a good cover of Acacia<br />
woodland, with many shrubs, dominated by Haloxylon, and perennial grasses. Cover<br />
is sparse to absent on the gravel plains and escarpments.<br />
Scenic values : Camp sites established by the Riyadh Authority seek to make<br />
use of views from the escarpments.<br />
Key animals : <strong>The</strong> following mammals have been r<strong>eco</strong>rded in the area:<br />
Rueppell's fox (Vulpes rueppelli), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), wild cat (F. silvestris),<br />
Ethiopian hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus), Cape hare, Cheesman's gerbil<br />
(Gerbillus cheesmani), Baluchistan gerbil (G. nanus), Sundervall's jird (Meriones<br />
crassus), Libyan jird (M. libycus), lesser jerboa (Jaculus jaculus). Arabian oryx,<br />
130