Thewildlife of Libya is spread over theMediterranean coastline and encompasses large areas of theSaharan desert. The protection ofwildlife is provided through appropriate legislation in seven national parks, five reserves, 24 protected areas, two wetlands underRamsar Convention,[1] and also in other areas. Apart from these, there are also fiveUNESCOWorld Heritage Sites related to culture. The most important national parks are theEl-Kouf National Park andKarabolli National Park. The well known nature reserves are theBenghazi Reserve and theZellaf Reserve.[2][3] The wildlife species recorded in the country are 87mammals and 338 species ofbirds.
Libya's natural national assets are its nearly 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) of coastline and the vast Sahara desert which is the semiarid and arid region to the south. Its hills, ponds and coastal habitats which comprise coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, salt marshes, and mud flats add to itsbiodiversity. Some of the sites are important formigratory birds.[4]
National laws and international agreements are part of the preservation of biodiversity and wetland culture in the country. TheGreen Mountain Area is under protection to protect 5,000 kilometres (3,106.86 mi) of the mountainous areas with the Green Mountain Conservation and Development Authority. It covers the coastline of 217 kilometres (135 mi), and also the ancient historical site ofGreeko-RomanCyrene.[3] The first conservation legislation enacted in 1949 was the Law on Forestry. The purpose of this legislation was to ensure protection to forests and forest products, and also retain soil conditions, enhance water sources availability and utilization, and to prevent desertification. In 1970, the Law for the Protection of Agricultural Land was enacted as an ordinance to protect the green areas. The first national park came into existence in November 1978. This was followed by many other national parks to preserve and conserve wild animals in the reserves where the threat was real. In 1990, the Technical Committee of Wildlife and National Parks was established exclusively to ensure proper management of the protected areas, as part of the General Secretariat of Agricultural Reclamation and Land Reform. With this setup, all protected areas are now under the management control of theGovernment of Libya.[2]
Protected areas in Libya are under four categories of national parks, protected reserves, protected areas, andwetlands, and a few others areas, which cover coastal, marine and terrestrial areas. The seven national parks are:[2] TheAbughilan National Park, theEl Kouf National Park, theKarabolli National Park, theNaggaza National Park, theRajma National Park and theSirman National Park of which Karabolli and Kouf cover the coastal and marine areas. The five nature reserves are:[2] TheBenghazi Reserve, theBier Ayyad Reserve, theNew Hiesha Natural Reserve, theTripoli Reserve and theZellaf Reserve. There are 24 protected areas:[2]Ain Zayanah,Ajdabiya Marsh,Al Jaghbub Oasis,Berjuj Valley,Bombe gulf,Fezzan valleys,Garabulli,Giarabub,Grotto de Lete, Harouj Mountain,Jalo,Kufrah Oasis,Nefhusa,Oasis of Ghat,Ouau en Namu lakes,Qaminis and Tukrah salines,Rajma plantations,Sabratha,Sebkha el Sahel,Serir,Shahaat,Taizerbo,Taoulga islands (Thaouara), andWadi Kham. The wetlands designated under Ramsar Convention are theAin Elshakika Wetland and theAin Elzarga Wetland.[2] According to thelist of ecoregions classified by theWorld Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Libya is inscribed under the eco-regions ofPalearcticMediterranean Forests,Woodlands andScrub, andMediterranean Sea.[5]
The coast line of Libya, which extends over a length of 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) is also a live house of the rich and unique, and globally important biodiversity of the Mediterranean zone.[4][6]
TheAlgharabolli National Park, established in 1992, covers an area of 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres).[7] TheAbughilan National Park, which encompasses an area of 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres), was established in 1992.[7] TheEl-Kouf National Park, established in 1975, covers a land area of 35,000 hectares (86,000 acres) with coastal line of 20 kilometres (12 mi); the total conservation area, however, is 100,000 hectares (250,000 acres) including the large basin area ofWade El Kouf. The area is bounded byJabel Al-Akhdar Mountain (elevation 860 metres (2,820 ft) and of limestone formation) forming a rectangular area bordered by the coast line of the Mediterranean Sea. It is 150 kilometres (93 mi) north-east ofBenghazi, nearAl Bayda (Beida) town.[8][9][10] TheEl Naggaza National Park was established in 1993 covering an area of 4,000 hectares (9,900 acres).[7] TheKarabolli National Park, located in the north-west part of Libya, was established in 1992. It covers an area of 8,000 hectares (20,000 acres). The nearest town to the park is Al Garabulli.Tripoli is to its west, about 50 kilometres (31 mi) away. Many streams with spring as their source drain the park area. The park habitat is made up of sand dunes, beaches, cliffs and salt lagoons. It was identified as Bird Life Sanctuary in 1992, and hosts 100 species of birds.[10] TheSabrata National Park was established in 1995 covering an area of 500 hectares (1,200 acres).[7] TheSurman National Park covers an area of 400 hectares (990 acres), and was established in 1992.[7]
There are five nature reserves in Libya.[7] These are: theAlhesha Nature Reserve, which was established in 1984, covers an area of 160,000 hectares (400,000 acres);[7] theBier Ayyad Nature Reserve covers an area of 12,000 hectares (30,000 acres) and was established in 1992; theMsalata Nature Reserve established in 1998 has an area of 1,800 hectares (4,400 acres);[7] theNalout Nature Reserve covers 200 hectares (490 acres)[7] and was established in 1998; and theZulton Nature Reserve created in 1998 encompasses an area of 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres).[7]
There are two wetlands of international importance inscribed under theRamsar Convention. These are:[11]
TheAin Elshakika Wetland, which covers an area of 33 hectares (82 acres), was included in theRamsar Convention on Wetlands on 5 April 2000. It also covers part of the Kouf National Park.[11] It is ahypersaline coastalsebkha (sebka means: "depression"). The geological formation, on its southern part, consists of limestone. Sand dunes, mudflats and large areas of shrubs are also part of this wetland. Its importance is on account of migratory and resident waterbirds, which provide ample opportunities for bird watching and also for eco-tourism.[11]
TheAin Elzarga Wetland was designated as a Ramsar Site on 5 April 2000 and it covers an area of 50 hectares (120 acres).[11] Its small coastal depression has link with the sea and hence water is visible in the wetland throughout the year, though saline particularly in summer. This land of marshes and mud flats is bounded on the south and east by rocky hills and sand dunes. It runs from east to west. It is part of the Kouf National Park and is important on account of the large population of migratory birds. Its potential for bird watching is also of eco-tourism interest.[11]
The Libyan coast line of 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) is rich in flora and fauna; the interior region including theSahara Desert Region is also fairly rich in flora and fauna.[3][6]
The plants found in the coastal zone are mostlyherbaceous with abundance ofgrasses. The most recorded species are theasphodel (a herb of family oflily),bougainvillea andoleander. There are also many plants under cultivation such ascitrus andolive.[3][12] There is a narrow buffer zone along the coast where agriculture is practiced. This zone also has grass lands. Moving away from the coast, the topography changes to theGreen Mountains (Libya), which rises to a height of about 800 metres (2,600 ft). Influenced by theMediterranean climate, the region has dense forest ormaquis ofjuniper andlentisc trees, and alsobrome grass,canary grass,bluegrass, andrye grass. Since rainfall in the area is scanty, the cultivated trees consists offigs and olives. In theNafusah Plateau,grasslands form the dominant vegetation. Moving towards south of the mountain range, Sahara desert environment dominates the region with limited cultivation of palm and fig trees around springs and natural oases.Date palms (near the oases),saltwort (used for makingsoda ash),spurge flax shrub,goosefoot,wormwood, andasphodel,cyrenaica are also reported in the wild.[3]Sea grass meadows are reported to cover 1,500 kilometres (932.06 mi) between theGulf of Sirte in Libya and theGulf of Gabes inTunisia.[6][12]
There are nearly 134vascular plant species which are specific to Libya. These include:[13]
The last two plant genera listed above areendemic.[13]
Along the coast, theMediterranean monk seal is a well known species. It has been listed in theIUCN Red List ascritically endangered in Libya.[3] In the Jbel Acacus region, from the rock art work of animal forms seen in the far southwest of the country, it is inferred thatAfrican elephants,giraffes andrhinos inhabited the area in the past during theice age when the land was fertile. Now, very few animals, like thestriped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena),fennec fox,gazelles,African wildcats andgolden wolves live in the area.[3][12] Thecheetah is now extinct from the area.Reptiles androdents are common in the sands of the desert.Red shrimp are reported from theUbari Lakes in the Fezan area.[3] The faunal species recorded includeCanis anthus,Vulpes vulpes,Genetta genetta,Felis libyca,Hystrix cristata,Delphinus delphis andTursiops truncatus.
Mammals and reptiles found in Libya which are on the IUCN Red List are:Grobben's gerbil, theAlexandrian shrew and theorangetail lizard (Philochortus zolii).[13]
Apart from the above, the mammal species identified in the reference bookMammal Species of the World are:[14]
The rodents reported are:[15]Pachyuromys duprasi (fat-tailed gerbil),Meriones libycus (Libyan jird),Ctenodactylus gundi (gundi),Meriones crassus (Sundevall's jird),Meriones crassus (Sundevall's jird),Spalacidae (blind mole-rat,common mole-rats,zokors, andbamboo rats),Elephantulus rozeti (North African elephant shrew),Spalacinae (blind mole-rats),Arvicolinae (lemmings and voles),Jaculus orientalis (greater Egyptian jerboa),Massoutiera mzabi (Mzab gundi), andSpalax ehrenbergi (Middle East blind mole-rat).[15]
In the coastal belt, bird species recorded aregreater flamingo on the beaches, and also many birds of prey.[8] Migratory birds pass through Libya, and are seen mostly along the coastline.[3] The most notable ones are theflamingo,Kentish plover in theBengazi Reserve.Houbara bustard and theEuropeanwhite stork are reported in theKouf National Park and in the beaches andlagoons. In the oases,desert larks,desert sparrows, andspotted sandgrouse have been reported.[3] Other notable species reported areAquila chrysaetos,Alectoris barbara,Pterocles species andChlamydotis undulata withherons,ducks,waders,Ciconia nigra,Ciconia ciconia, andMilvus milvus (red kite) from the brackish lagoons.[9]
Invertebrates exclusive to Libya are:[13]
Some of the 'non-marine molluscs of Libya, which are a part of the molluscan fauna of Libya, are,Melanoides tuberculata (O. F. Müller, 1774) listed underIUCN as of least concern,[16]Parmacella festae (Gambetta, 1925 - northern Libya),[17] andParmacella olivieri (Cuvier, 1804 - northern Libya).[18]
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The Libyan coast is rich in fish production and many edible marine organisms.[8] The Marine Biology Research Centre (MBRC) facilitated selection of coastal areas under Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The key MPAs established were the El Kouf National Park, Ain Gazala Farwa, El Burdi, and Ain -Ziyana. Reported marine mammal species include themonk sealMonachus monachus (CR) on the coast, andTursiops truncatus offshore.[8]
The coastal area and the Mediterranean Sea is reported as the nesting areas for theloggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and juveniles ofbluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus), nearing extinction.[6] Thekillifish (Aphanius desioi) is an IUCN Red List species.[13]
The threats faced by the national parks, reserves and protected areas have been identified. These are due to excessive logging operations, poaching of birds, unauthorised felling of trees, alteration of the habitat status due to pollution, land use,climate change, and inadequate management measures.[7]
The measures under implementation to address the threats identified in the protected areas are in the form of protecting the ecosystems and biodiversity, conducting scientific research in identified areas, creating public awareness, ensuring sustainability of resources, promoteecotourism, creation of protected areas conforming to different ecosystems, and setting up of adequate management mechanism.[7]