Al - Djabbul salt lake (Sebkha Al - Djabbul) Aleppo- Syria

Al-Jaboul (Sebkha Al-Djabbul) salt lake is located in Aleppo sub-basin, and it is about 40 km to the southeast of Aleppo city. In the past the lake was naturally fed entirely by local run-off, and its size was highly variable from year to year. In wet years the water surface covered as much as 3,000 ha and it rarely dried up completely. But nowadays, as Al-Jaboul lake is surrounded by irrigated areas at higher elevations since 1995 when the 10,000 ha Maskana irrigation project to the north of the lake was completed, and supplied by water transferred from Euphrates. Drainage from the irrigated agricultural areas is diverted into Al-Jaboul lake by a series of drainage canals, with the result that water levels in the lake are now higher and somewhat more stable throughout the year.

Initially, the water introduced from agricultural drainage contaminated and diluted the saline water used to produce salt. That prompted the Government to ban the use of salt for human consumption. Then, a barrage was built across the lake immediately to segregate the drainage water from the natural saline water in the lake, so there are now two hydraulic zones: a defined saline zone where salt production continues, and a larger fresh water zone.

As relatively fresh drainage water continues to flow into the lake, its former saltwater ecosystem has modified ( the natural salinity of the lake water of 50 g/l TDS has reduced by a factor of 10 as recorded by ministry of irrigation). The decrease of salinity in the southern part of the lake, is probably, has led to increase the number of bird species. The fresher water section ( the largest portion of the lake) now supports greater diversity because of salinity gradient, for example, allowing reeds to grow on the edges of the lower zone. Significant growth of aquatic plants along portions of the north shore of the lake outside more salt zone has also been observed. At the same time, the smaller saline zone continues to attract birds suited to those conditions.

Biodiversity of Al-Jaboul Salt Lake Area:

Plant Biodiversity:

Flora of Al-Jaboul Salt Lake area consists of plant species tolerant to dryness and salinity , for example , reeds Phragmites cammunis Triu. grows on the edges of the lake abundantly , Aeluropus littoralis (Gouan) parl., Atriplex halimus L., Calligonum comosum l’Her., Anthemis deserti Boiss., and Salsola vermiculata are dominant in the surrounding areas.

Animal Biodiversity:

Birds:

In 1997, Al Jaboul Lake (Sebkha Al Djabbul) was designated as Syria’s first Ramsar site, due to its growing importance as a staging, wintering and breeding area for many international waterbirds. Large numbers of migratory waterfowl including ducks and geese, as well as Flamingos, have been observed. Currently, waterfowl numbers are reported to be increasing, primarily due to increased and stabilized water levels. The lake has become particularly important for Greater flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber ( Between 500 and 1,000 individuals are regularly present ). Also, it is reported that the Flamingos, as well as numerous other migratory species, breed at the lake as Mallard ( Anas platynrhynchos ) , Northern pintail (Anas acuta ) , Heron ( Ardea cinerea ), and Great white pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus ( 1000-2000 individuals ).

Mammals:

Mammals which were registered in Al-Jaboul Area include wolf (Canis lupus ) , fox (Vulpes vulpes ), hyena ( Hyaena hyaena syriaca ), Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica ), cape hare ( Lepus capensis ) , hedgehogs (Erinacus europaeus) , blind mole-rats ( Spalax leucodon ) and many others. But, most of them nowadays are very rare because of Hunting and Habitat destruction.

Challenges:

Currently, The lake ecosystem and the livelihoods of local communities are under pressure from agricultural pollution (e.g. chemical fertilizers, pesticides) , industrial chemical pollution (e.g. sugar factory, defence factory), municipal solid waste disposal, and potential changes in hydrology related to irrigation drainage. In Addition to that, the main pressures affect the wild life in the lake area are hunting and habitat destruction due to the expanded human activities.

References :

-Mouterd , P. S.J. ( 1966 , 1970 , 1984 ). Nouvelle Flore du Liban et de la Syrie, Tom I , II , III. Dar el-Machreq Ed. , Beyrouth , Liban.

-National Country Study of Biological Diversity In Syrian Arab Republic (1998). Ministry of Environment & UNEP- Biodiversity Unit.

-Evans. M.I. (1996) : Important bird areas in the middle East, Birdlife conserevation series No.2

-Kobaily, I ( 1996 ). Wild life, Teshreen University, Latakia

-Ghadery,Gh. Mansour, W. Karoom, M. Majeedaghaa,A. ( 2002 ). Sebkha Al Djabbul, Ministry of State for Env. Affairs.

-National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (Nov 2002):
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn

-Mullarney, K., Svensson, L., Zetterstrom, D., & Grant, P.J. (1999) Collins Bird Guide. HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, London.

-Lack, P. (1986) The Atlas of Wintering Birds in Britain and Ireland. T. & A. D. Poyser Ltd, Calton.

-Greenoak, F. (1979) All the birds of the air; the names, lore and literature of British birds. Book Club Associates, London.

-Gooder, J. (1982) Collins British Birds. William Collins Sons and Co Ltd, London.

-RSPB (2003) The population status of birds in the UK:
http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/5_20625.pdf

-Fatima Haj Mousa