Abstract

The Arabian Ornithological and Conservation Conference

Bahrain 2000

Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness the Amir of Bahrain

Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa

Organised by the

Ministry of Housing Municipalities and Environment

&

The National Commission for Wildlife Protection

At

The Sheraton Hotel

Bahrain

October 21^st to 25^th 2000

The Conference

Under the Patronage of His Highness Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa the Amir of Bahrain

‘The Arabian Ornithological and Conservation Conference Bahrain 2000” has been built around a body of core delegates that includes individual ornithologists conservationists naturalists and academics, park and protected area professionals and managers from a diversity of organisations, institutions and NGO’s involved in ornithology and conservation in the Middle East. The last few decades have seen a period of unprecedented growth and development in the Arabian Peninsular and for many of the countries of the region this growth unfortunately, has been at the expense of the environment habitats and their associated biological communities. Although an effort to document the flora and fauna of these communities has also increased, it has not kept pace with the loss of the original biodiversity. By bringing together those working in Ornithology and conservation in the Arabian Peninsular and the Middle East it is hoped to raise public awareness of the needs and challenges facing conservation through the forum of this conference.

Conference Objectives

· To further through community involvement and public participation, our understanding of the natural variability and vulnerability of Arabian ecosystems and their response to natural or anthropogenic disturbances.

· To indicate to administrators that the challenges in the management, planning and decision making of protected areas cannot be achieved solely by focusing on a single reserve but requires a co-ordinate regional management philosophy.

· To further public awareness and understanding through education and the sharing of information in research and provide the basis for developing solutions for local application.

Themes of The Conference

· Ornithology of the Middle East

· Eco- Tourism and the Economics of conservation, exploring the human dimensions of the management of protected areas.

· Habitat management, sustainable development and biodiversity protection.

· Challenges of Monitoring

· Approaches to education and Community Reach

Field Trips

As part of Conference, International delegates will be able to participate in a diverse range of field trips on relevant topics. Delegates will have to sign up for trips prior to the conference as places are limited.

The Setting

The Sheraton Hotel one of Bahrain’s’ most respected 5 star Hotels Tel. ++973 533533

Fax ++973 524564 Email sherbah@batelco.com.bh

The Event Schedule for ‘The International Delegates’

Saturday 21^st October 2000

1500 Hrs - Late Afternoon Field trip Manama

20.00 Delegate Meet For Casual Social Dinner and briefing

Overnight Manama

Sunday 22^nd October 2000

09.30 Travel To Hawar Arrive For Buffet Brunch

13.00 Field Trip - Exploring Islands Of Hawar

20.00 Barbecue At Poolside – Sea Food - Delights Of Hawar

Overnight Hawar

Monday 23^rd October 2000

05.00 Early Morning Call

06.30 Full Day Exploring Islands Of Hawar Visiting The Bird Colonies

15.30 Return Hotel Hawar

17.00 Travel Back To Manama

20.00 Dinner Overnight Manama

Tuesday 24^th October 2000

09.00 Hrs Opening Ceremony Of Conference At Sheraton Hotel.

Coffee

10.30 To 13.00 In Conference

Lunch

14.30 To 17.30 In Conference.

17.30 Gala Dinner

Wednesday 25^th October 2000

08.00 To 10.30 In Conference

Break

12.30 To 13.00 Closing Speeches

Lunch

15.00 Field Trip Manama

Departures at leisure
Conference Program

Tuesday 24^th October 2000

Registration	08.00	09.00
Opening Ceremony Conference & Exhibition	09.00	10.00	Addresses by H.E The Minister of Housing Municipalities and Environment Shaikh Khalid Bin Abdulla Al Khalifa & H.E The Minister of Cabinet Affairs for the Amiri Court Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Al Khalifa on Behalf of His Highness The Amir of Bahrain H.H Shaikh Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Response by Key Note Speakers on Behalf of Guests of His Highness The Amir
Coffee Break	10.00	10.30

Session One			Challenges of Monitoring, Education and Community Reach
Chair Dr. Ghassan Jaradi			Rapporteur Dr. Jacky Judas
	10.30	11.00	Brian S. Meadows The practical value of environmental impact reports, particularly in relation to marine conservation
	11.00	11.30	Mr. Ronald Anthony LoughLand A coastal & Marine Natural Resource Atlas for Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE
	11.30	12.00	Mr. Dirk Raes International color banding projects - training requirements and need for application in the Middle East
	12.00	12.30	Simon Awad The Use of the Ringing programs as a new tool in Education
	12.30	13.00	Essa Faraj Protected Birds in Al Areen Wildlife Reserve

Lunch	13.00	14.30
Session Two (A)			Challenges in Preservation & Conservation
Chair Adel Salem Khalifa			Rapporteur Dr. Philip Seddon
	14.30	15.00	Dr. Saeed Abdulla Conservation of Avifauna in Bahrain present status and future challenges
	15.00	15.30	George Gregory Conservation of Wildlife in Kuwait – Problems and Solutions.
	15.30	16.00	Dr. Jens Eriksen Island Birds of Oman

Coffee Break

16.00

16.30

Session Two (B)			Challenges in Preservation & Conservation
Chair Dr. Adnan Budieri			Rapporteur Dr. Jens Eriksen
	16.30	17.00	Dr.Omar Al-Saghier Zoning of Socotra Archipelago protected area, Yemen - Potential and challenges for conservation
	17.00	17.30	Imad Al Attrash Important Bird Areas in Palestine

Wednesday 25^th October 2000

Session Two (C)			Challenges in Preservation & Conservation
Chair Dr Mohammad Shobrak			Rapporteur Dr. Hany Tatwany
	08.00	08.30	Edwin W.A.M. Vaassen - with Dr. M. Akif Aykurt The Importance Of Habitat Management For Species Diversity, Habitats In And Surrounding Wetlands
	08.30	09.00	Prof. Dr. Ghassan Ramadam Jaradi In-Situ Conservation For Sustainable Development And Biodiversity Protection: Case Study Of Palm Islands Nature Reserve Lebanon
Break	09.00	09.05
Session Three			Challenges for Eco -Tourism
Chair Omar Attum			Rapporteur Dr. Eugene Joubert
	09.05	09.35	Dr. Philip Seddon Planning For Tourism In Wildlife Protected Areas: The Saudi Arabian Experience
	09.35	10.05	Mindy Baha Ed-Din Birding Tourism In The Middle East, The Potentials And Pitfalls, With Egypt As A Case Study
	10.05	10.35	Mr. Andrew Grieve The Role of OSME In Promoting Bird Watching Tourism In Bahrain

Break

10.35

12.30

Sitting of Conclusions & Recommendation Committee

Closing

12.30

13.00

Conclusions and Recommendations

Dr Mohammad Shobrak

Poster Presentation. – On displayed at conference venue throughout

Ornithological work carried by the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development in Saudi Arabia during the last 14 years

Conclusions & Recommendation Committee

President

Dr. Shaker Khamdan (Chairman)

Environmental Affairs, MOHME Bahrain

Committee

Prof. Dr. Ghassan Ramadam Jaradi

Dr. Philip Seddon

Dr. Jens Eriksen

Dr. Jacky Judas

Dr. Hany Tatwany

Dr. Eugene Joubert

Dr. Omar Al-Saghier

Dr Mohammad Shobrak

Guidelines for Submitting Abstracts

Abstracts should not exceed 300 words. Each abstract should include the title, the author(s), address(es) including mail/ phone/ fax/ e-mail, the abstract and the presenter(s). Use superscript to identify addresses and affiliations in the case of multiple-authors. Use a Times Roman or a similar font, 10 point size. Use one inch margins. Do not include graphics. Abstracts can be submitted via e-mail or diskette.

Abstracts must be submitted by October 13, 2000 to: Howard King , C/o PO Box 11802

MOH Manama Bahrain or by e-mail to howardk@batelco.com.bh . Abstracts submitted by email should be sent as an attachment, preferably as a MSWord 97 document, or an RTF file.

Instructions for Authors

Manuscripts may be submitted as an email attachment in a convenient electronic form and/or as a "hard copy" and should generally not exceed 5,000 words, including references. Graphical material is acceptable, as outlined below.

1.Manuscript Specifications

Each manuscript should include a brief title, followed by the author's name(s) current mailing address(es), telephone number(s), Fax number(s) and e-mail address(es). An abstract should appear prior to the introduction of the paper. References should be in numerical order as they appear in the manuscript. Metric measurements must be used with English units in brackets if required. If scientific names are used they should appear in italics and appear after the common name.

Contributors presenting a hard copy of their manuscript should also include a copy on a 3.5" diskette in a word processing or text-only format preferably for a PC compatible platform. The diskette should be submitted as a WinWord 7 or ASCII file. All non -essential stylistic formatting should be avoided as the format, style and layout will be done by the editor. Essential elements are upper and lower case lettering, punctuation, headings and paragraphing. The font should be in Times New Roman 12. Typed Manuscripts should be double-spaced, with 1.5" (4cm) right hand margins, on good quality, white bond paper (8.5x 11" 21.5 x 28 cm).Headings should appear with numerical designations: e.g.

1

1.1, 1.2, 1.3....

1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3 etc.

2.Tables and Illustrations

Tables should be prepared as word processing files. Ideally, graphic material should be generated as separate TIF or JPEG files. If this is impossible, high quality hard copy is very acceptable. In most cases these will be scanned during editing to generate electronic copies. All graphical material should have a figure number and caption included in the text. An appropriate amount of space should be reserved for the graphic in the body of the narrative. Tables which are more than a quarter page in length should be duplicated as a separate electronic file. The intended position of the table can be indicated by its inclusion in the text in the appropriate place. The provision of a separate file will make editing much easier.

Some consideration must be given to the final size of graphics and tables: they will have to be legible when sized for a page 6 x 9 inches. Colour graphics and photos of good quality photographs may be acceptable if deemed essential. All photographs must have detailed captions included in the text file.

3.References/Citations

References should be indicated in the text by numbers and listed citations should be listed numerically arranged by their first appearance in the text.

4. Manuscript Submission

Please forward manuscripts prior to October 24, 2000 to Dr. Shaker Khamdan

Head of Environmental Monitoring Section

Environmental Affairs

PO Box 26909

Ministry Of Housing Municipalities and Environment

Manama

Bahrain

or submit at the conference registration desk October 24^th , 2000.

5. Manuscript Review and Publication

All manuscripts will be refereed prior to consideration for publication in the Conference Proceedings. Proceedings will be printed as a hardback volume(s). It is anticipated that the Conference Proceedings will be printed and distributed within a year of the conference.

Abstracts

The Arabian Ornithological and Conservation Conference

Bahrain 2000

Brian S Medows

Environmental Monitoring Manager Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu Wildlife KSA.

PO. Box 10476, Jubail 31961, K.S.A. Tel 966-3-341-1749 Fax # 966-3-341-1238 Jrgme1@Concept.Net.Sa

The practical value of environmental impact reports, particularly in relation to marine conservation.

Most major coastal developments in developing countries now incorporate an environmental impact assessment study at the pre-development stage. However, these studies and the reports they generate, often prove to be of relatively little value – particularly if the scope of work was poorly defined at the outset. Also, due to a variety of reasons, even if they are satisfactory, they frequently become under-utilized and, in some cases, viable recommendations ignored by post-development planners. This presentation, which is based on the author’s experience over many years as an environmental manager, will indicate – using local examples – how the value of reports can be improved, in order that they are more effective tools for pollution control and implementation of appropriate conservation measures.

Mr. Ronald Anthony LoughLand

Principle Environmental Researcher, Commission Of Environmental Research Emirates Heritage Club

PO. Box 42959 Abu Dhabi UAE Tel 00971-50-4917826 cerehc@emirates.net.ae

A coastal & Marine Natural Resource Atlas for Abu Dhabi Emirate, UAE

One aim of the Commission of Environmental Research (CER) is to collect, analyze and disseminate environmental data towards the sustainable use of Abu Dhabi’s marine and coastal resources. Until recently there was a paucity of detailed data pertaining to Abu Dhabi’s marine environment and it was therefore important that baseline data was collected. The atlas will provide Abu Dhabi’s Government with useful data that will assist in the formulation of strategies to conserve the marine and coastal environment.

The Abu Dhabi Coastline stretches for 640kms and is bounded by The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the west and Dubai Emirate to the east. The Emirate’s coastal zone is low lying with extensive tidal flats and lagoons. The coastal waters are shallow and as a result there are numerous offshore islands, patch coral reefs and sandbanks. There are also extensive areas of periodically inundated sabkha along the coastline.

Within Abu Dhabi’s inshore waters there are extensive areas of sea grass which provide a direct and indirect food source and habitat for both resident fauna and temporary visitors, including commercially important fish and crustaceans. Internationally important species such as the dugong Dugong dugong and green turtle Chelonia mydas are some of the species that feed directly on this sea grass resource.

The offshore islands are important for nesting seabirds and marine turtles. The offshore islands often also have fringing coral reefs, which provide feeding habitat for nesting hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys imbricata . The islands and coastal areas of Abu Dhabi contain many Important Bird Areas (IBA) and Middle East Wetland Inventory (MEWI) Sites. These sites provide nesting and feeding habitat for thousands of migrating and resident birds.

Development of the coastal zone is presently restricted mostly to the eastern coastal areas of Abu Dhabi Emirate, especially around Abu Dhabi City. However, due to increasing development demands and the lack of ecological data to assist in planning for new developments, the coastal zone is presently under threat.

High profile international scientists, co-ordinated through the Emirates Heritage Club are currently undertaking research to provide ecological data for Abu Dhabi’s coastal zone. This data will be provided in the atlas. It is envisaged that the atlas will be a practical and dynamic document that will assist in the conservation and sustainable use of Abu Dhabi’s coastal and marine resources.

Omar a. S. Al-Saghier

BirdLife International, Yemen Conservation Program

P. O. Box 13330, Sana’a, Republic of Yemen, Tel/Fax: + 967 1 235 219, omarbio@y.net.ye

Zoning of Socotra Archipelago protected areas, Yemen - potential and challenge for conservation

The Socotra Archipelago (including the Islands of Socotra, Samha, Darsa, Abdul kuri and the neighbouring rock outcrops pertaining of the Republic of Yemen) is a place of great bio-diversity of fauna and flora in its marine and terrestrial habitats. Several factors have contributed to its conservation over the past two thousands years. These were geographical Isolation, inhospitable environment for accessibility and wise management procedures used by local inhabitants. High rate of endemism among its fauna and flora has qualified it to be an Endemic Bird Area (EBA) and Center of Plant Diversity (CPD) in the world. The number of endemic species of birds (subspecies), reptiles, mollusk, arachnid, crustacean, insects and plants are 6(11), 24, 56, 5, 5, 294 and 307 respectively.

The government of Yemen and the international community have realized the importance of conserving Socotra Archipelago biotopes for future generation of humanity have contributed to the Socotra GEF/UNDP projects that launched full inventories of its biological content. The results of surveys helped identified major areas for protection under various labeling. Four zoning types were proposed as Resource uses reserve, General use zone, National park and Nature sanctuary. The approximate land area covered under each type is 23.5%, 1.4%, 72.6% and2.5% of the total land area of the Archipelago.

The government of Yemen approved the zoning plan and declared a network of protected areas on Socotra Archipelago. Further, carried out a master plan for the development of Socotra, taking into consideration the protected areas. It’s fear that unplanned and ad hoc development might cause land use changes and hence losses of critical habitats. It’s hoped by conservationist in Yemen and worldwide that the Yemen concerned authorities will strengthen the protected areas and develop sustainable management plans for conservation and development that balance between the welfare of people and natural resources in Socotra.

Prof. Dr. Ghassan Ramadan Jaradi

C/o CNRS, P.O.Box: 11-8281, Beirut-Lebanon Tel: +961-3-689840, Fax: +961-1-822639, E-mail: r-jaradi@cyberia.net.lb

In-situ Conservation for Sustainable Development and Biodiversity Protection.

Case study of Palm Islands Nature Reserve/ Lebanon.

The formal establishment of protected areas to conserve important sites of natural heritage is recent and heralds a new age in Lebanon. Palm Islands Nature Reserve (34º 30’ N 35º 46’ E) is one of these Protected areas and the best example of what is left of the original marine-coastal landscapes. The Reserve’s overall development objective is to conserve endemic and endangered wildlife, mainly birds, and their habitats, incorporate wildlife conservation as an integral part of sustainable human development, and strengthen the institutional capacity of government agencies and non-governmental organizations. The role of the Palm Islands Nature Reserve is achieved through recognized practices in planning and policy development for management of the reserve, establishment of a trained professional staff to manage it, provision of appropriate facilities to protect the heritage values and to facilitating appropriate public use and enjoyment of the reserve. Various conservation measures have been initiated, including cleaning campaigns, reduction of the number of introduced rabbits and rats, zoning of the islands, construction of a visitors trail, building of a dock to facilitate landing of visitors and general surveillance of the islands and surrounding sea. Ecological management will be complemented by education, community relations, fund raising and environmental extension programs in the wider community by training staff to undertake these activities.

Palm Islands Nature Reserve is habitat for only 8 mammal species, 5 of which are flying mammals (bats) and one is marine (Monk Seal). Of the total of 8 species of reptiles recorded for the islands, a total of 3, all turtles, are globally threatened. A total of 4 species, snakes and lizards, are threatened within Lebanon. The reserve is habitat to 73 species of plants of which 2 are nationally threatened species, 3 are local endemic species and 2 are nationally rare species. Whilst 16 species are restricted to the Eastern Mediterranean.

A total of 153 bird species are recorded in the reserve which is considered a suitable feeding and resting site, particularly by 42 species known to breed afterward on lebanese mainland. 10 species are the breeding population of the reserve, four of the bird species of Palm Islands are classified as globally threatened species and 7 are regionally threatened or declining species, and only 2 are species restricted to the Middle East. This species representation indicates a high proportion of Mediterranean and European migratory species utilize Palm Islands Nature Reserve. None of the bird species is restricted to the Palm Islands Nature Reserve. The conservation of all bird species inhabiting the islands significantly or substantially depends also on the conservation of those species elsewhere.