Mbashe River Gorge (100854)
South Africa, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2024
National site name: Mbashe River Gorge
Central coordinates: Latitude: -32.0840, Longitude: 28.6755
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 67 to 546
Area of KBA (km2): 215.21827
Protected area coverage (%): 0.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: Mbashe River Gorge is a terrestrial site that is unprotected, found in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Dramatic river gorge with sheer wall in places, dominated by semideciduous savanna woodlands in a mosaic with thickets, often succulent and dominated by species of Euphorbia and Aloe. The open savanna characterised by small trees of Acacia karroo 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. Steep north-facing wall of gorge are sheltered from the rain and also receive greater amounts of insolation adding to xerophilous conditions on these slopes. South-facing walls have thicket and scrub forest that are species-rich and structurally diverse.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for 2 criteria described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Based on current available information, 1 threatened bird species meet one or more KBA criteria for this site. At least 1% of the global population of this species aggregate at the site to breed, therefore it meets criteria A1 and D1.
Additional biodiversity: 23 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.
Supersedes another site: Mbashe River - Coffee Bay (blank) [38%]; Collywobbles Vulture Colony ZA067 [12%]
Delineation rationale: Extended Important Bird and Biodiversity Area including distinctive, deep river gorge and cliff walls, categorised as Critical Biodiversity Area, and falling mostly within a single Local Municipality.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Savanna (83%), Artificial - terrestrial (14%)
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)