Ramsar ecological character description sheet Al Asfar Lake National Park for Proposed Ramsar Sites in Al Ahsa Region, Saudi Arabia Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations -Riyadh
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Abstract
Al Asfar Lake National Park is a rare semi-permanent wetland in the hyper-arid Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia, sustained by an ancient canal system, shallow groundwater, and seasonal runoff. Its endorheic basin, extensive reedbeds, sabkha flats, and open-water zones create a distinctive ecological system that qualifies under Ramsar Criterion 1. The site supports diverse vegetation and a rich assemblage of resident and migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway.
Hydrological processes are driven by continuous inflow, high evaporation, and seasonal flooding, while sediments and nutrients accumulate through agricultural drainage. The lake experiences eutrophic conditions and variable salinity. Ecological functions, primary production, nutrient cycling, and breeding activity, are well developed.
Key pressures include agricultural pollution, illegal hunting, waste dumping, and climate variability. Water is unsafe for drinking, irrigation, or fishing. The lake provides flood regulation, sediment retention, cultural value, and opportunities for nature study. Overall, it is a unique desert wetland requiring careful protection to maintain its ecological character.
Description
The document is a Ramsar Ecological Character Description Sheet for Al Asfar Lake National Park in the Al Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. It follows the standard Ramsar format and provides a structured assessment of the site’s ecological characteristics in support of its proposal as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
It details the site’s geomorphology, climate, hydrology, habitats, plant and animal communities, ecological processes, and ecosystem services. The document emphasises the lake’s significance as a rare wetland ecosystem within a hyper-arid desert environment, supported by a thousand-year-old canal system. It outlines the ecological functions of reedbeds, open water, sabkha flats, and associated biodiversity, particularly migratory and breeding birds.
The report also identifies environmental pressures, such as agricultural runoff, illegal hunting, and invasive vegetation, and highlights the site’s cultural, educational, and research value. Overall, it serves as a comprehensive reference describing the natural features, ecological roles, vulnerabilities, and management considerations of Al Asfar Lake in the Ramsar context