Minyanya Plain (19963)
Zambia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Minyanya Plain
Central coordinates: Latitude: -13.1333, Longitude: 22.2500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1070 to 1070
Area of KBA (km2): 1502.5933
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A vast area of rather flat grassy plains that can be broadly divided into wetter and drier types, depending on slight differences in elevation (Aspinwall 1979). There are scattered pockets of scrub and in the depresions small clumps of Syzgium forest.Bordering the plains are stretches of rather open Kalahari woodland and Burkea savanna. There is very little surface water in the dry season and much of the area is sparsely populated. The site is poorly defined at present and further work is required to establish a suitable boundary.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: A very rich grassland avifauna, comprising species typical of both western Province and Mwinilunga District. Typical of former are Greter Kestrel, Black crow and Long-Tailed Whydah. Characteristic of the latter are Angola Lark and Black-tailed Cisticol.One of the most interesting birds to occur is white-throated Francolin, an essentially West African species that ghas a relict population in this small corner of Zambia and neighbouring Angola. It is a fairly common inhabitantof the drier plains, whereas Red-winged Francolins tend to be found in the wetter areas. Another species with a seemingly disjunct population in this area is Cloud Cisticola. However, recent observationsinSesheke District suggest that the species may be more widespread in Zambia than previous thought. According to loca residents, some areas become heavily inundated during the rains and large concertrations of waterbirds occur, but very few ornithologists have visited at this site. Non-bird biodiversity: Not known
Habitats
Land use: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 95 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |