Hantam (100800)
South Africa, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A1d, B1, B2, B3a, B4, E
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: Hantam
Central coordinates: Latitude: -31.2752, Longitude: 19.5096
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 360 to 1610
Area of KBA (km2): 6000.50515
Protected area coverage (%): 0.43
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: Hantam is a very large terrestrial site that is unprotected, found in the Northern Cape, South Africa. It is dominated by dwarf Karoo shrubland with nearly equal proportions of succulent elements (Aloe, Antimima, Euphorbia, Ruschia) and low microphyllous karroid shrubs, particularly of the family Asteraceae (Eriocephalus, Pentzia, Pteronia). Rich displays of annuals and geophytes occur during spring. The site also includes a plateau of tafelbergs supporting low shrubland with rich herblands containing a wealth of geophytes, especially in the more open, wetter or rocky habitats.
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, 45 species meet one or more KBA criteria for this site. The KBA trigger species at this site include birds, butterflies, fish, and plants. The site meets criterion A1 due to the presence of significant proportions of the global populations of 14 threatened species. Effectively the entire global population of one Critically Endangered species is within the site. The site regularly holds 31 individual geographically restricted species, therefore meeting criterion B1. Assemblages of co-occurring range-restricted species in the Asparagales, Caryophyllales, Lamiales, and Oxalidales taxonomic groups regularly present within the site meet criterion B2. Co-occurring species endemic to the Succulent Karoo xeric shrublands terrestrial ecoregion present at the site meet criterion B3. A quantitative analysis of irreplaceability indicates that the site is 100% irreplaceable for the global persistence of 19 species, therefore meeting criterion E. The site holds significant proportions of the global extent of 2 geographically restricted ecosystems (meeting criterion B4).
Additional biodiversity: 147 other potential trigger species meet minimum population parameter thresholds for the site, but presence and/or minimum reproductive units required to meet KBA criteria cannot be confirmed with available data.
Manageability of the site: This site is managed primarily by a regional conservation authority responsible for enforcing statutory regulations on landuse change in Critical Biodiversity Areas and threatened ecosystems.
Delineation rationale: Delineation is focused around a distinctive arid mountain range and plateau, falling within a single Local Municipality and partly categorised as Critical Biodiversity Area in a systematic conservation plan.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Shrubland (96%)
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | 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)