Mbulo Forest (19964)
Zambia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Mbulo Forest
Central coordinates: Latitude: -13.2167, Longitude: 22.8333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1000 to 1050
Area of KBA (km2): 22.00344
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large an extremely rich mushitu just west of the Zambezi river, between Lukolwe and Luzu. Such forests are uncommon in this District and Mbulo is a particularly fine example. It is between 1 and 2 km long and as much as 0.5km wide in places. Much of the sorrounding habitat is thin Miombo, but to the north the mushitu is bordered by a small swampy stream. The Kamunoka plain ilies to the west and this grassland is included in the site.The general area is very sparsely populated and the forest very undisturbed. Further more, some local residents appear to have supertitious fears of the forest.
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 wide range of mushitu species occur, many on the very edge of their range such as Cinnamon Dove, Blue-breasted Kingfisher, Bannerman's Sunbird, Blue-mantled Flycatcher, Grey Apalis and Many-coloured Bush Shrike. Splendind Glossy Starlings occur in very large numbers during the breeding season from about August to November. Woollly-necked Storks appear to be regular and probably nest here as they have been found breeding nearby. Species more typical of forest edge and the sorrounding woodland include Anchieta's Barbet, Scaly-frnted Honeyguide and Little Sotted Wooddpecker. The plain supports many grassland species such as Natal Nightjar, Grimwoods Longclaw, Lesser Black-backed Cisticola and Parastic Weaver. Non-bird biodiversity: Poorly known, although the flora is likely to have Guineo-Congolian elements. The Hairy bat Myotis welwitschii has been recorded.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Forest | 80 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Only in the future |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Only in the past and unlikely to return |