Eráti (49147)
Mozambique, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2020
National site name: Eráti
Central coordinates: Latitude: -13.8743, Longitude: 39.8162
System: terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 147.78272
Protected area coverage (%): 0.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: Proposed KBA site designated Eráti, falls under Eráti District in Nampula Province, northern Mozambique. The borders of Eráti District include Cabo-Delgado Province to the north, Nacaroa District to the South, Memba District in the East and Mecuburi District to the West (Ministério da Administração Estatal, 2014). One of the biggest river systems in the country, Lurio River, runs through and forms the northern boundary with Cabo-Delgado Province, and to the south there is the Mecuburi River (Ministério da Administração Estatal, 2014). The proposed KBA site is within the northern corner of Eráti district covering an area of 147.783 km2. The Latitude and Longitude midpoint of this KBA is -13.8743 S and 39.81618 E respectively. The climate of the region is mainly semi-arid and dry sub-humid with an average annual rainfall ranging from 800 to 1200 mm but, sometime rainfall can locally exceed 1500 mm, becoming the sub-humid rainy type climate. Because of its location in relation to the river system, this area is highly influenced by the Mecúburi and Lúrio River valleys. The River valleys are dominated by dark, deep alluvial soils (Fluvisols), heavy to medium texture, moderately to poorly drained, subject to regular flooding. Most soils have medium to heavy texture, being deep, moderately well drained (Ministério da Administração Estatal, 2014). Vegetation in this area is mainly miombo woodland to savannah with thick wooded vegetation patches among the rocky cliffs.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. The current knowledge on biodiversity of the Eráti District is very limited. However, it is known that Eráti is home to at least one plant species (Allophylus torrei) which is endemic to Mozambique and it has a restricted distribution. A. torrei, has been assessed as Endangered under the IUCN Red List of threatened species (Darbyshire et al., 2019). The species is associated with rocky habitats which would suggest limited access in turn reducing the chances of impactful activities. However, most of the species range have been heavily impacted throughout its range and Eráti seems to be the only site which still holding viable extent of the species suitable. Because the species threatened with extinction and it meets the KBA thresholds in this site, Eráti has therefore been classified as Key Biodiversity Area.
Delineation rationale: In general, the KBA boundary was delineated in order to encompass all the mountains of this area and thus the entire extent of suitable habitat for the trigger species, which favors rocky substrate and can also be observed on sparsely vegetated granite slopes (IUCN 2019). So the western side of the proposed site mainly follows the mountainous formation and runs just as far south as to include the isolated rocky massif. The eastern side is bound by the National Road (N1). The site is crossed by the river Nampamata.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 30 | |
| Savanna | 70 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |