The Location

The Zaranik Nature Reserve is located in the eastern part of Lake Bardawil, 25 km west of the city of Arish. It is bordered to the north by the Mediterranean Sea and to the south by the Arish-Qantara Road. The coastal scrubland is situated in the sand dunes that stretch in a strip along the Mediterranean coast from Arish to the international border at Rafah in the east. This area serves as a feeding ground and resting place for migratory birds from Europe and Asia on their way to Africa in search of food and to escape the winter frost.

The Geology of the Region

It is an example of a Mediterranean coastal environment, including wetlands and swamps. The Zaranik Protected Area is an example of a Mediterranean coastal environment, including wetlands and swamps. The Zaranik Protected Area belongs to the Mediterranean Basin wetlands and occupies an area of ​​250 km² in the eastern part of Lake Bardawil. It is located 35 km west of El Arish and 120 km from the Suez Canal.

The Area

225 km²

When was Zaranik declared a nature reserve?

Since the early 1970s, interest began to grow in the Zaranik area of ​​North Sinai as a wetland of international importance for migratory birds. Since then, Zaranik has gained widespread renown and become a center for tourists, researchers, and those interested in the environment.

In 1985,

Zaranik was declared a nature reserve by Prime Ministerial Decree No. 1429 of 1985.

Why is the reserve called Zaraniq?

It is named after the interconnected and winding bodies of water that crisscross the salt flats of the area. Its highest point reaches approximately 30 meters above sea level, in the sand dune area that extends across the southern part of the reserve.

The Importance of the Zaraniq Reserve

It strives to be a cornerstone of sustainable development by developing innovative and unconventional methods, to utilize these resources without harming them. For example, it is developing ecotourism that relies on the natural environment, including birdwatching tourism, which the reserve is working to develop into a center of attraction for local and international tourism, benefiting North Sinai and the community.

The reserve is also an important area for scientific studies and the preservation of its historical heritage sites

The reserve conducts numerous research studies to examine the environmental impacts of various activities in the area. The reserve also designs and manages numerous educational programs. The reserve's visitor center explains the role of nature reserves in protecting the environment. The center's role extends beyond this, as it organizes training courses for professionals in the field, NGOs, university students, and others interested in the environment. The land of the reserve is state-owned, but Bedouin live on its periphery. They rely on rainfall for agriculture and also work in fishing, hunting birds, and herding sheep. Some are employed by the salt company. Tourism has also become a new occupation in the area.

The Bird Migration and Resting Times in Zaranik Protected Area

Zaranik Protected Area is located on one of the most important bird migration routes, where hundreds of thousands of birds gather to rest and feed before continuing their arduous journey across the Sahara Desert to Africa, where they spend the winter.

The end of August and the beginning of September

It represents the peak of bird migration in Zaranik Protected Area during the autumn season. More than 270 bird species have been recorded, most of them migratory waterfowl. The common teal (Anas querquedula) is among the most numerous, with over 220,000 birds recorded in one season. Hundreds of thousands of other birds have also been recorded, including the white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus), the rubber plover (Phoenicopterus rubber), various herons, waders, gulls, and terns.

The Waterfowl pass by in successive flocks,

The flying along the shore from east to west. Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of birds representing numerous species migrate across the Mediterranean to find rest and protection in the Zaranik Reserve, including quail (Coturnix coturnix), sandpiper (Crex crex), hoopoe (Upupa epops), and others.

The Climate of Zaranik Protected Area

The climate in North Sinai is generally characterized by relatively cold winters, with average temperatures around 13°C, and mild summers with average temperatures of 25°C. This is due to the area's location on the Mediterranean coast. It is a semi-desert region with an average annual rainfall of 80 to 100 millimeters. The average temperature reaches 13°C in January and 25°C in August. Humidity is approximately 70% in coastal areas and 40% in inland areas.

The Types of Water Relied Upon in the Zaranik Nature Reserve

The Main Water Sources in the Reserve

1- The Saltwater

This water feeds Lake Zaranik through three natural inlets (Zaranik Inlet, Abu Salah Inlet, and Tuffaha Inlet) that connect it to the Mediterranean Sea. The importance of these inlets depends on natural factors (the strength and direction of sea currents, sand deposition on the shore, erosion, etc.) that cause them to open or close without human intervention. When the inlets are open, the amount of water flowing from the sea into the lake increases, thus reducing salinity and improving water quality and composition. However, when the inlets are closed, which can last for extended periods, salinity increases significantly, leading to a decline in water quality and composition.

2- The Mediterranean Sea Water

This water enters through the Bardawil Lake Inlet No. (2), an artificial opening for water exchange between the Mediterranean Sea and Bardawil Lake. This inlet is approximately 300 meters wide and has an average depth of 4-6 meters. The water entering through this inlet reaches Lake Zaranik, improving its efficiency and water quality.

3- The Fresh Water

This water reaches the area as a result of subsurface runoff from rainwater falling on the northern slopes of the Maghara Mountains (approximately 90 km to the south). This water flows northward due to the slope and reaches the Zaranik Nature Reserve. A study and evaluation of the quantity and quality of this water, as well as its impact on the water balance in the region, is currently underway.

4. The Rainfall

The annual average is 80 to 100 mm, with peak rainfall occurring in December and January. Sources of fresh water: rainwater and groundwater.

The Preservation of the Reserve under Egyptian Law

The Type of Reserve

The Sustainable Use of Natural Resources Reserve

The Importance to Migratory Birds

The Zaranik Nature Reserve in North Sinai is a key stopover for migratory birds worldwide. It serves as the first stop on their journey to Africa during the autumn, providing food. Some birds also reside permanently in the area and breed there. Studies have demonstrated the region's importance and its unique location connecting the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe. The area acts as a bridge for migratory birds between these continents, particularly during the autumn and spring seasons each year. Birds migrate from Eastern Europe, Northwest Asia, Russia, and Turkey on their way to Central and Southeast Africa, escaping the winter cold and seeking abundant food sources, passing through this reserve.

In order to preserve these vital components,

Zaranik was declared a nature reserve by Prime Ministerial Decree No. 1429 of 1985, in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 102 of 1983 concerning nature reserves.

The Birdlife International has designated the region as an Important Bird Area (IBA), where numerous endangered and highly vulnerable bird species, such as the common moorhen, are protected. It is also a Specially Protected Area under the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea and its Specially Protected Areas.

The region encompasses several distinct environments

1- The Mediterranean Coastal Environment

The Mediterranean climate is among the most interesting and complex climatic patterns in the world. Its unique characteristics make it a subject of interest for scientists, researchers, and environmentalists alike. The Mediterranean climate is influenced by its geographical location and surrounding topography, as well as by natural and human factors that play a role in shaping and developing it.

2. The Wetland Environments

Wetlands are among the most complex and sensitive ecosystems on Earth. They form a transitional zone between land and water, where hydrology, soil, vegetation, and fauna interact to create a highly productive and functional ecosystem. Thanks to this transitional location, wetlands play a pivotal role in regulating the hydrological cycle, improving water quality, storing carbon, protecting coastlines from erosion and storms, and providing vital habitats for a wide variety of organisms.

3. The Dune and Sand Dune Environments

Sand dunes are composed primarily of sand grains, often quartz, formed through the erosion of rocks and transport by wind or water. The size and shape of the sand grains, along with the presence of organic matter, determine the soil characteristics within the dune. Sand dunes can vary in size and shape, from small sand hills to towering structures. Dune formation occurs primarily through a process called "sand passing." When the wind blows, it carries the sand grains. When the wind slows down, it sheds its sand load, causing sand to accumulate. This accumulation can lead to the formation of small sand hills, which can eventually grow into larger sand dunes. The shape of the sand dune is strongly influenced by wind direction and the amount of available sand.

4- The Steamy Environments

The term "steamy environments" refers to places filled with steam or humidity, often creating a warm and humid atmosphere. Conditions such as steam baths or humid weather can be described, potentially evoking feelings of intimacy or passion.

The reserve includes the following

1- Lake

The reserve contains the highly saline Lake Zaraniq, with a depth ranging from one to one and a half meters. Lake Zaraniq is considered one of the reserve's most important features. A thin sandbar separates the lake from the Mediterranean Sea, and the Zaraniq and Abu Salah inlets are located at its eastern end, representing the only natural connection between the sea and Lake Bardawil. The intertidal zone is characterized by a thick layer of clay that permeates the lake's shoreline. The reserve is named Zaraniq after the intersecting and winding bodies of water that run through the salt flats in the area. The highest point reaches approximately 30 meters above sea level in the sand dune area that extends across the southern part of the reserve.

2- Fishermen's Village

Hosted by approximately 50 fishermen

3- Salt Company

The Sabika saltworks, located west of El Arish on the Mediterranean coast, is one of the most prominent centers for natural salt production in Egypt and the world. Spanning 26 square kilometers, the saltworks includes concentration and sedimentation basins, washing and refining plants, and processing and packaging areas to meet export demands. Its products range from raw salt and high-quality washed salt to refined salt and road salt used for de-icing, which is experiencing increasing demand in European and American markets. The saltworks relies on water from the Zaranik Nature Reserve as its primary source of production. The water undergoes a year-long treatment cycle to remove impurities, resulting in high-purity salt that meets international standards, making it the preferred choice for major companies in the food and chemical industries.

4- The Sand Dunes in the Southern End of the Reserve

The sand dunes in the Sinai Peninsula cover an area of ​​approximately 12,200 km² and are concentrated in the northern part of the peninsula, forming a sea of ​​sand with chains of long, crescent, transverse, and sometimes star-shaped dunes.

5- The Seagrass Coastal Seagrasses

The seagrasses are a paraphyletic group of marine angiosperms that have evolved three to four times in parallel from terrestrial to marine plants. The following characteristics can be used to identify seagrass species: they live exclusively in estuaries or marine environments; pollination occurs underwater using specialized pollen grains; seeds are produced underwater and dispersed by biotic and abiotic factors.

The Seagrass species are characterized by

Specialized leaves with a thin waxy coating and a stomata-free epidermis, the main tissue responsible for photosynthesis. The rhizome, or underground stem, is important for anchoring the plant. Roots can live in an oxygen-free environment, relying on oxygen transport from the leaves and rhizomes, but they are also important in nutrient transport. Seagrasses significantly influence the physical, chemical, and biological environments of coastal waters. Although seagrasses provide invaluable ecosystem services, serving as breeding and nursery habitats for a diverse range of organisms and supporting commercial fisheries, many aspects of their physiology remain poorly understood. Numerous studies have indicated the decline of seagrass habitats worldwide.

Ten seagrass species are critically endangered

out of all seagrass species, including three that are listed as threatened. The loss of seagrasses and the degradation of their biodiversity will have serious consequences for marine biodiversity and for humans who depend on the resources and ecosystem services they provide. Seagrasses form important coastal ecosystems. The global vulnerability of these marine meadows, which provide food and shelter for many marine species, necessitates the protection and better understanding of these valuable resources.

6- The Salt Flats

Salt flats are lands containing high concentrations of dissolved salts, which have a significant and serious impact on crop growth. They contain high levels of sodium and are also known as alkaline soils containing various salts such as sodium, magnesium, boron, and sulfates. A variety of microorganisms and microbes live within these lands, adapted to the saline environment.

7- The Alluvial Salt Flats

Salts typically consist of one or more layers of heterogeneous, uncompacted, highly porous, and permeable sediments. This allows subsurface water to rise to the surface of the salt flat through capillary action under the influence of evaporation. This leads to an increased salinity concentration, which in turn allows the crystallization of various evaporite minerals that lose their cohesion and strength upon exposure to water.

8- The Sand Dunes

The sand dunes are accumulations of sand grains that have piled up into mounds or hills. These dunes occur in places such as deserts, beaches, and abandoned agricultural areas. Wind moves these grains and shapes the dunes into various forms. Dunes consist of 59% sand grains, with small amounts of silt grains and other organic matter.

9 - The Islands and Coastal Plain

These are the most important environments in terms of biodiversity: the islands, especially Al-Fulusiyat Island, which is home to approximately 76 plant species, as well as numerous insect, reptile, mammal, and bird species; and the coastal plain, which forms the boundary between the lagoon and the Mediterranean Sea. This plain encompasses two highly sensitive ecosystems: sand dunes and salt flats. The sand dunes support 13 mammal species, 12 reptile species, 61 insect species, and numerous bird species. The salt flats support 11 mammal species and numerous insects and plants.

10. The Animals

Birds - Mammals - Reptiles - Vertebrates/Invertebrates)

The Birds (especially waterfowl)

244 bird species have been recorded in the reserve, representing 14 families. Some bird species may settle in Egyptian lakes. More than 260 species of migratory birds pass through the Zaranik Reserve, most of them waterfowl. Only 8 species are resident.

A. Non-Predatory Birds

Pesan

Plants

Ducks

Herons

Cuban

Storks ... Chicken

Falcon

Quail

Partridge

Kite

Crocus

Sandgrouse

Gull

Chicken Harrier

Plover

White-tailed Lark

Cuttletail

Curlew

Sandgrouse

Gull

Tiger

Dove

Bee-eater

Crow

Hoopoe

Rock

Duck

Red-tailed Red-billed

Partridge

B - The Birds of Prey

133,000 were recorded, representing several species including:

Falcon

Surgender

Buzzard

Lesser Marcher Eagle

Little Eurasian Eagle

Lesser Sandpiper Eagle

Black Kite

Pawn-tailed Eagle

Golden Eagle

Gazelle Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Summer Teal

C. The internationally endangered birds observed in the reserve include:

The Common Corncrake

The Black-winged Eurasian

The Barred Teal

The Red-fronted Blue-legged Teal

The Common Harrier

The Locust's Hawk

The Imperial Eagle

D - The Mammals

Eleven mammal species have been recorded in the Zaraniq region, including:

The Jerboa (Gerbillus gerbillus)

A rodent that lives in sandy areas. It spends the day in burrows and tunnels it digs in the sand, which are characterized by stable temperatures. The jerboa is nocturnal, foraging for seeds and fruits. Interestingly, these animals do not drink water but rely on other sources to meet their water needs.

The Jerboa, another rodent that lives in sandy areas.

The Threatened Mammals and Reptiles

The Turtles (Egyptian Land Tortoise)

The sandbar separating the Mediterranean Sea and Lake Bardawil provides a suitable nesting area for the endangered green sea turtle.

The Desert Monitor

The Turtle

The Jerboa (Psammomys obesus), which lives in salt marshes. This rodent is one of the few mammals that are active during the day. It feeds on halophytic plants found in the areas where it lives.

The Hedgehogs

These are slow-moving animals with excellent hearing and smell, but poor eyesight. They feed on insects and small reptiles and are nocturnal, with increased activity during the spring and summer. The hedgehog relies on the sharp spines covering its back for defense. When it senses danger, it curls into a ball of spines, making it difficult to approach. Only one species is found in the reserve: the eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus).

The smallest and most beautiful of the fox species is the fennec fox (Fennecus zerda)

It is distinguished by its large ears and keen eyesight, which help it hunt insects and small animals at night. It is a skilled hunter and rarely drinks, obtaining the necessary fluids from the prey it consumes. It is an endangered species due to overhunting for its fur.

The sand cat (Felis margarita)

This is a rare mammal in the Egyptian deserts, characterized by its flat head, thick fur, and distinctive color. Its color is similar to sand, which helps it to camouflage itself while hunting. It is a nocturnal animal that feeds on rodents and small animals.

E - The Reptiles

22 reptile species have been recorded, the most important of which are

The sand lizard

One of the most common diurnal species in sand dune environments.

The skink (Scincus scincus)

A species of lizard adapted to life in the sand.

The burrowing lizard (Sphenops sepsoides)

A species of lizard adapted to life in the sand

Oliver's lizard (Measlina olivieri)

It is associated with plants, especially near salt marshes.

The mountain lion (Trapelus savignii)

Its presence is limited worldwide to North Sinai, and therefore the reserve is of particular importance for the conservation of this species.

The chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon)

A widespread species that is often found among plant branches and feeds on insects. Despite the common belief that it is dangerous and venomous, it is actually a gentle and completely harmless animal.

As for the desert monitor lizard (Varanus griseus)

it is the largest carnivorous terrestrial reptile in the reserve, traversing long distances between different environments in search of its diverse prey.

There are nocturnal species such as:

The mountain python (Lytorhynchus diadema)

The broad-eyed gecko (Stenodactylus petrii)

And the bald-headed viper (Cerastes vepera), the only venomous snake found in the area.

Several reptile species are endangered in the reserve, including

The Egyptian tortoise (Testudo kleinmanni), which has recently disappeared from the area. Efforts are underway to breed and reintroduce it to its former habitat.

The green turtle (Chelonia mydas)

And the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), both marine species that lay their eggs on the area's sandy beaches. They are currently being studied to determine their population sizes and the best methods for their protection.

D - The Plants

The reserve boasts a diverse plant population, a vital component of the natural environment. Plants include:

Alda

Al-Bousil

Al-Himira

Al-Mazrour

Al-Malih

Al-Qalam

And local species such as:

Egyptian Al-Ratrit

The reserve's diverse plant life, a crucial element of the natural environment, contributes to the area's life and beauty. These plants stabilize the soil and enhance its fertility. They also play a fundamental role in the lives of many organisms, some relying on them for food, shelter, or refuge from danger. One example is the plant that grows among the shifting sand dunes:

The panicum turgidum

This perennial grass helps stabilize the sand and is considered one of the best natural grazing plants due to its palatability and high nutritional value.

The stipagrostis scoparia

This plant, which grows on top of the sand dunes, plays a similar role. Perennial sand dune shrubs (Artemisia monosperma) that grow abundantly on shifting sand dunes, stabilizing them, are characterized by their high content of pungent essential oils and other compounds used as insecticides.

Thymelaea hirsute

Cornulaca monacantha

Retama raetam

Zygophyllum album

This salt-tolerant plant indicates a high calcium salt content, making it a good indicator of soil type and chemical composition. Nitraria retusa (Citrus retusa)

A perennial shrub widespread in dry, saline soils. Its red, fleshy fruits have a pleasant taste and are edible. Some bird species feed on them.

The cistanche phelypaea (Broomrape)

A flowering plant that is completely parasitic on other plants. Its leaves are reduced to yellow and brown scales. Salicornia fruticosa (Broomrape) grows abundantly in marshes. It is a succulent plant that stores large quantities of water and has high nutritional value. Therefore, it is suitable for propagation as a good forage crop in lands unsuitable for other plants. Other types of marine plants, such as seaweed (Ruppia maritime), are also found in abundance in the lake, providing shelter and food for various fish species.

The Marine Life

R - The Vertebrates and Invertebrates

Most vertebrate species found in the region have been recorded, and research is still ongoing to complete the inventory and identification of invertebrate species and their environmental information.

11- The Marine Environments in the Zaranik Protected Area

These environments, represented by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern part of Lake Bardawil, are home to diverse forms of organisms, such as:

Mollusks

Crustaceans

Clubs

Fish

Sea turtles and dolphins

Sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Mullet (Mugil sp.)

Sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Sole (Solea solea)

Coastal Woodland Environment

The coastal woodland area extending from El Arish to Rafah has been designated a nature reserve due to its unique environmental features. This area, characterized by sand dunes stretching along the Mediterranean coast, is rich in:

Acacia trees

Shrubs

Grasses

This makes it a natural grazing resource, a habitat for wild animals and birds, and a means of stabilizing sand dunes and halting sand encroachment. However, this woodland has previously suffered from excessive logging, necessitating its restoration and regeneration. And regulating grazing within it. This area also includes:

The Sheikh Zuweid Salt Flats Environment

This salt flats are one of the wetlands in Sinai, located in the city of Sheikh Zuweid, about two kilometers from the Mediterranean coast. They cover an area of ​​approximately two square kilometers and are surrounded by sand dunes and palm trees to the north and west, along with some sparse vegetation. To the south, they are surrounded by palm trees, almond and peach orchards, and some citrus trees. The Sheikh Zuweid Salt Flats are an important area for migratory wintering birds such as teals, mallards, mallards, ploveres, bulbuls, and many wading birds, including the collared-headed tern, Alexandrian stilt, sandpiper, sandpiper, and black-headed plover. Several bird species breed in the area, most notably the common plover and the common plover. Other bird species also pass through in the autumn, such as the common moorhen, the common swamp, and quail.

12 - The Archaeological Sites

The Zaranik Protected Area contains several archaeological sites, the most important of which are:

The Al-Fulusiyat and Al-Khuniyat areas

The Al-Fulusiyat and Al-Khuniyat areas are located within the Zaranik Protected Area. The name Al-Fulusiyat derives from the fact that Bedouins used to find ancient coins (al-Fulus) in the area.

An ancient Roman settlement called Ostracaine.

Two churches dating back to the Byzantine era.

And some archaeological remains belonging to the Islamic era.