02.01.2013 Views

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

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

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!