12. Topography / climate / hydrology / soils / geology / tides: Jabai sura is a granite 
massif which rises very steeply from the Tihamah foothills to 2,200 m. Wadi Rijaf 
is one of two deep valleys on the mountain's west side. Rainfall guestimate = 
800 mm p. a., falling mainly July - Sept. Average annual temp. 30°C, range 
15° - 40°C; humidity is high. After storms, continuously flowing water in Wadi 
for up to 1 month; large rock pools hold water all year round. 
13. Habitats / vegetation / flora and non-bird fauna: 
Brief description of habitats/vegetation/flora: The best and most intact example of Afrotropical 
Sudanian' vegetation in Yemen and perhaps Arabia; in valley bottom is riparian forest 
up to 20 m high, dominated by Ficus spp. and Trichelia emetica at 400 m, by 
Acacia abyssinica at 600 m, plus Combretum molle , Berchemia discolor , T. emetica . 
Thicket on slopes above forest dominated by Acacia asak . Below 400 m is shrubland 
of Anisotes trisulca , + Euphorbia spp. and Caralluma russelliana . 
Habitats: give % cover of each 
65 
Marine environment 
Non-marine wetlands 
Desert/desert fringe 
Grassiand/sieppe 
Scrub/bushland 
30 
Woodland/forest 
Agriculture/cultivation 
'Artificial' 
Other (specify): ... Bare rock 
Other (specify): ... 
Details of non-bird fauna: (especially rare/endemic) 9 large mammals in IBA incl. Hyaena hyaena , 
Papio hamadryas , Ichneumia albicauda . Procavia capensis . 7 reptiles mcl . a 
Varanus new to science (1988). At least 3 amphibian and ! fish spp. At least 
52 butterfly spp. including a Charaxes new to science (1982. 
14. Threats: (give brief summary) rnformation up to 1986: a dirt road bulldozed 
through Che forest in 1983/4 is an erosional scar; it has led to increased 
settlement, livestock ranging, cutting of vegetation for forage, collection of 
firewood and timber, creation of banana plantations, diversion of wadi water to 
irrigate these. Greatest threat in future is anticipated to be unregulated 
(commercial?) exploitation of forest products, i.e. fire-wood, timber, livestock 
forage . 
Classify threats as C (Critical), M (Major) or L (Local), where reievanL Potential, rather than actual, threats 
should be bracketed: 
M(C) 
L(M) 
Over-exploitation of birds/eggs (food, pets etc.) 
Excessive or irresponsible hunting/falconry 
Deliberate pCTsecuuon of birds 
Excessive disturbance of birds 
IntroductJCH) of non-indigenous fauna/llora 
Deforestauon/cree-cuiting 
Forestry/afforesiation 
Diversion of waier/canalizauon 
Drainage 
Damming 
Over^extraction of ground-water 
Irrigation 
Drought 
Fire 
Built development/construction 
Dredging 
L(M 
Land claim/landfill 
Extraction industry (mines, quarries etc.) 
Destruction of desen crust 
Conversion to agriculture/ploughing up 
Agricultural intensificauon 
Abandonment of traditional management 
Over-grazmg/over-browsing 
Excessive soil erosion/degradauon 
Oil pollution/exploration 
Toxic pollution 
Euiropnicauon 
Air poUuuon 
Debns/garbage poiluuon 
Other (specify): 
A-3 
