
Wasit Nature Reserve
- Country:United Arab Emirates
- Site number:2386
- Area:86 ha
- Designation date:09-05-2019
- Coordinates:25°21'N 55°27'E
Overview
Located some 15 kilometres from the coast and the city of Sharjah, the Reserve is a complex of natural inland lake and wetland habitats with a total area of 86 hectares. It is a unique lake which represents a part of the remaining endangered coastal habitats: it was formerly a tidal lagoon, providing important evidence of the evolution of the coastline. The Site supports a rich diversity of wetland species. Its mudflats, lakes, dunes, reed beds and woody thickets support a range of plants, and at least 144 bird species including many migrants. There are several near-threatened species such as curlew sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), bar-tailed godwit (Limosa lapponica), black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata) and the globally vulnerable Socotra cormorant (Phalacrocorax nigrogularis). The reserve, owned by the government of Sharjah Emirate, was declared as a National Protected Area in 2004. A visitor centre was established in November 2015 for education, public awareness and eco-tourism.
- National legal designation:
- Protected Area
- Last publication date:28-06-2019
Downloads
Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)
Site map
Additional reports and documents
- Taxonomic lists of plant and animal species occurring in the site
- Site management plan