Biodiversity

Wadi Shis water catchment covers about 60 km2 in the Hajar Mountains, which are recognized as one of the 200 WWF Global Ecoregion (Ecoregion 127: Arabian Highlands and Shrublands), sheltering a rich diversity of rare and endangered habitats and species, and providing opportunities for the sustenance and revival of local livelihoods. This ecoregion is threatened by development, mainly through habitat loss, fragmentation and increased disturbance.

Human population growth and development are generating an unprecedented biodiversity crisis in human history. Worldwide, animal populations have dropped by 60% over the last 40 years. Our day-to-day life, health and livelihoods depend on a healthy biodiversity. This is everyone’s responsibility to take actions and reverse this trend. Water being an essential but limited resource for any living organisms including us, pressure on freshwater habitats and species have even been greater than for any other habitats or group of species. Freshwater species have suffered a dramatic decline of 83% of their populations in the last 40 years.

From centuries of experience, our ancestors have developed practices to use natural resources sustainably. Traditional irrigation system and farming have contributed to the sustenance of biological diversity. Maintaining, reviving, and sometimes improving certain farming practices, will secure ecosystem services, biological diversity and human livelihoods. Creation of a network of well managed and connected Protected Areas will allow wildlife to thrive again in the Mountains.