KwaZulu-Natal Escarpment (100830)
South Africa, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A2, B1, B2, B4, E
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: KwaZulu-Natal Escarpment
Central coordinates: Latitude: -28.1639, Longitude: 29.6522
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 932 to 2060
Area of KBA (km2): 2496.33615
Protected area coverage (%): 13.81
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: KwaZulu-Natal Escarpment is a large terrestrial site that has limited protection, found in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.The site is situated within complex mountain topography with steep, generally east- and south-facing slopes, with a large altitudinal range. Tall, closed grassland with Hyparrhenia hirta and Themeda triandra is dominant. Protea caffra communities and patches of Leucosidea scrub feature at higher altitudes. Open Acacia sieberiana var. woodii savannoid woodlands encroach up the valleys, usually on disturbed (strongly eroded) sites.
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, 12 species meet one or more KBA criteria for this site. The KBA trigger species at this site include birds, fish, mammals, plants, and reptiles. The site meets criterion A1 due to the presence of significant proportions of the global populations of 6 threatened species. The site regularly holds 4 individual geographically restricted species, therefore meeting criterion B1. Assemblages of co-occurring range-restricted species in the Aves and Reptilia 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 2 species, therefore meeting criterion E. The site holds significant proportions of the global extent of 1 threatened ecosystem (meeting criterion A2) and 1 geographically restricted ecosystem (meeting criterion B4).
Additional biodiversity: 28 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, with part of the site managed by catchment management authority.
Supersedes another site: Grasslands ZA016 [25%]; Northern Drakensberg foothills (blank) [9%]; Sterkfontein Dam Nature Reserve ZA035 [5%]
Delineation rationale: Delineation was guided by landscape and ecological boundaries, mainly rugged grassland and forest escarpment landscapes with intact habitat, including formerly recognised Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, a Strategic Water Source Area and Critical Biodiversity Areas.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Grassland (86%), Artificial - terrestrial (8%)
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | 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)