Amathole Mountains (100707)
South Africa, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A1e, A2, B1, B2, B3a, B4, E
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: Amathole Mountains
Central coordinates: Latitude: -32.5441, Longitude: 26.9655
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 516 to 2195
Area of KBA (km2): 3235.50453
Protected area coverage (%): 0.82
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: Amatole Mountains is a large terrestrial site with limited protection, found in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The area is composed of low mountain ranges and moderately undulating landscapes characterised by short grassland with high richness of forbs, especially those of the family Asteraceae (especially Helichrysum and Senecio). A smaller portion of the site lies along the Great Escarpment (Amathole, Transkei Escarpment) in southern Mistbelt Forests. The Amathole mistbelt forests are dominated by emergent trees of Afrocarpus falcatus and a range of deciduous and semi-deciduous species. In the southern portion of the site small portions of savanna occur on undulating to moderately steep slopes, sometimes in shallow, incised drainage valleys. Open savanna characterised by small trees of Acacia karoo with a short to medium, dense, sour grassy understorey, usually dominated by Themeda triandra when in good condition. A diversity of other woody species also occur, often increasing under conditions of overgrazing. Mountains and moderately undulating slopes below peaks, often with ridges of rock or boulder outcrops are home to mistbelt grasslands
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for 3 criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Based on current available information, 47 species meet one or more KBA criteria for this site. The KBA trigger species at this site include amphibians, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, fish, mammals, plants, and reptiles. The site meets criterion A1 due to the presence of significant proportions of the global populations of 24 threatened species. Effectively the entire global populations of 3 Endangered and 1 Critically Endangered species are within the site. The site regularly holds 36 individual geographically restricted species, therefore meeting criterion B1. Assemblages of co-occurring range-restricted species in the Amphibia, Caryophyllales, and Gentianales taxonomic groups regularly present within the site meet criterion B2. A quantitative analysis of irreplaceability indicate that the site is 100% irreplaceable for the global persistence of 21 species, therefore meeting criterion E. The site holds significant proportions of the global extent of 1 threatened ecosystem (meeting criterion A2) and 3 geographically restricted ecosystems (meeting criterion B4).
Manageability of the site: The site is managed primarily by a protected area management authority, with parts of the site managed by a catchment management authority, and regional conservation authority responsible for enforcing statutory regulations on landuse change in Critical Biodiversity Areas and Threatened Ecosystems.
Supersedes another site: Amatole Forest Complex ZA071 [35%]; Hogsback - Stutterheim (blank) [22%]; Katberg complex (blank) [16%]
Delineation rationale: Delineation was guided mainly by the boundary of a Strategic Water Source Area (important catchment) with unique high altitude ecosystem types (grasslands and forests) that contain highly range-restricted endemic species. The site includes protected areas, Protected Environments and numerous informal private conservancies, with Critical Biodiversity Areas identified in a provincial conservation plan in between. The boundaries of formerly recognised Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and an Alliance for Zero Extinction site were also considered.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Grassland (65%), Artificial - terrestrial (18%), Forest (9%)
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Gavin Masterson (Fathom Data), Warrick Stewart (Resilience Environmental Advice), Anisha Dayaram (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Maphale Monyeki (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Sediqa Khatieb (South African National Biodiversity Institute), Craig Hilton-Taylor (IUCN)