Within Europe the species has suffered in some areas from habitat degradation caused by off-road vehicles or dry conditions causing vegetation to become rank (Hagemeijer and Blair 1997), but it is unsure whether these threats affect individuals of this species that visit UAE. The most relevant threats within UAE are changes in coastal land-use and the possibility of oil pollution, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown.

The most relevant threats within UAE are changes in coastal land-use and the possibility of oil pollution, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown. The species is susceptible to avian influenza, so may be threatened by future outbreaks of the virus (Melville and Shortridge 2006), and climate change is a potential future threat.

The most relevant threats within the UAE are changes in land-use and the possibility of oil pollution, but the severity of these threats towards this species is unknown. Individuals that visit the UAE will also be impacted by a range of threats that occur outside of the country:Declines noted in breeding populations of Europe are probably chiefly due to habitat changes, especially drainage (BirdLife International 2015). Low water levels shorten the period of food availability in pastures, due to the lower penetrability of soil, and thereby strongly influence the length of the breeding season (BirdLife International 2015). Changes in habitat structure and food abundance, which already negatively affect this (and many other) species might also lead to increased predation risks for nestlings (BirdLife International 2015). Estimated 1,500,000 birds are hunted annually in Europe (Van Gils;et al. 2015).

Across its range, the species suffers from threats that could impact individuals that pass through or overwinter in UAE. These threats include oil and petroleum pollution (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Grishanov 2006), habitat degradation and loss due to agricultural drainage schemes (Taylor and van Perlo 1998), wetland drainage, changing wetland management practices and the burning and mowing of reeds (Grishanov 2006). The species is often drowned in freshwater fishing nets with mesh sizes greater than 5 cm (Quan et al. 2002). It is also susceptible to avian influenza, so may be threatened by future outbreaks of the virus (Melville and Shortridge 2006). Hunting may also impact this species (del Hoyo et al. 1996, e.g. in Iran; Balmaki and Barati 2006). Of these threats, some such as changing land-use and oil pollution may also have impacts on the species within the UAE, particularly at the coast.

The species faces a large number of threats outside of the country, and so any individuals passing through the country will likely be subject to these, outlined below.Transformation of agricultural land, including the destruction of hedges and areas of scrub (J. Dunn in litt. 2016) is thought to be an important factor in the global decline of this species, as well as the loss of semi-natural habitats. Changes in agricultural practices have several impacts on the species, as they can both reduce food supply and nesting habitat availability, and it is likely that the decline in food is the main limiting factor rather than the decline in nest site availability (Lutz 2006, Dunn and Morris 2012). Widespread use of chemical herbicides appears to also be a very serious factor, with a consequent decline or elimination of many food plants;and an increased reliance upon cultivated grain (Browne and Aebischer 2003). Hunting is a significant threat. There is believed to be an annual illegal hunting take of 0.6 million individuals across 27 Mediterranean countries (Brochet et al. 2016). The species is vulnerable to infection by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae (Lennon et al. 2013), which can cause mortality (Stockdale et al. 2015).;Competition with Eurasian Collared-dove Streptopelia decaocto;may also have an impact (Lutz 2006). A loss of suitable autumn stopping sites (field crops and trees around oases) may have contributed to its global decline, as well as a;change in tree composition, increased disturbance and an increase in the number of Common Myna Acridotheres tristis in cities where European Turtle-dove nested in Central Asia (R. Kashkarov in litt.;2015).

The threats to this species are not well known (Holt et al. 1999), but loss of nest sites may be important at a local scale (Aspinall 1996).

Recreation within the species's occupied range could have an impact, reducing local numbers and potentially leading to individuals altering their behavioural patterns (Aspinall 1996), but in UAE the degree of impact on the species as a whole is thought to be negligible due to how inaccessible its habitat is (Aspinall 1996, Khan;et al.;2009). However, its habitat is becoming more accessible, with development leading to habitat loss and fragmentation. A potential threat to the species, which should not be allowed to occur in the future, is the introduction of See-see Partridge, Ammoperdix griseogularis, into the native range of Sand Partridge, due to the risk of hybridisation (Aspinall 1996), while introduction of Arabian Partridge and Chukar within Sand Partridge's range may be leading to increased competition over resources, and the risk of introduced diseases.

This species may have been negatively impacted by ongoing development along the east coast of the UAE.

The species is likely to be a component of livestock grazing.

Grazing by camels, in addition to ongoing development, threatens this species outside of protected areas.