Distribution of Migratory Birds in the Southern Oasis Regions (Ghat – Ubari – Murzuq), Libya (2025–2026)

Abstract

The Saharan oases of Ghat, Ubari, and Murzuq form a sparse network of freshwater and palm-grove habitats that likely serve as short stopovers for Palearctic and Afro-tropical migrants. Yet, standardized, season-resolved data from Libya’s deep desert remain scarce. This study (2025–2026) will quantify seasonal variation in species composition and abundance across these three oasis systems and test how hydrological conditions (water surface area, depth, electrical conductivity as a salinity proxy) and disturbance (people, vehicles, livestock, gunfire, dogs) shape migrant use. We will conduct synchronized point counts and scan counts on open water and groves in autumn, winter, and spring, with distance sampling/time-of-detection to address detectability. Each visit will include standardized habitat measurements and georeferenced photo/audio vouchers; data will be archived to open repositories and aligned with International Waterbird Census protocols to enable comparisons with national winter baselines. Analyses (GLMMs/GAMs, ordination, turnover metrics) will test explicit hypotheses about seasonal change, species–environment relationships, and stopover timing relative to pre-Saharan versus trans-Saharan strategies. Outputs include: (i) bilingual checklists and abundance indices per site/season, (ii) a decision-ready monitoring protocol, (iii) a KBA screening table against BirdLife thresholds, and (iv) management guidance on water-level stewardship and disturbance buffers. The project will close a major geographic data gap in Libya’s monitoring network and provide defensible evidence to support conservation planning in Fezzan’s oasis landscapes.