Mount Kasigau forest (20925)
Kenya, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Mount Kasigau forest
Central coordinates: Latitude: -3.8333, Longitude: 38.6667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1250 to 1640
Area of KBA (km2): 8.74493
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mt Kasigau is an isolated, steep-sided mountain rising abruptly from the plains approximately 50 km south-east of the main Taita Hills massif (see IBA 21). Above about 1250 the summit is covered with cloud 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) KBA identified in the process of compiling the 2003 CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests Hotspot (which was later [in 2005] split into two Hotspots, the East Afromontane and the Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa). Species taxonomy and threat category was based on IUCN Red List 2002.
Additional biodiversity: Kasigau has not adequadely been surveyed until relatively recently. An expedition in 1998 (Barnes et al. 1998, Pilgrim, in press) recorded good numbers of the threatened Taita White-eye but not the other Taita Hills endemic taxa (Taita Thrush and Taita Apalis). The cliffs appear to be important for nesting raptors. The Taita White-eye is considered as a (globally threatened and restricted-range) species by Collar et al. (1994), but as a sub species of Montane White-eye by OS-c (1996) and Zimmerman et al. (1996). The status of this taxon is uncertain and the results of genetic analysis are awaited. The Taita White-eye is listed as Critically Endagered, but it appears to be relaively adapdable and numerous both on the Taita Hills and Mt Kasigau. an ecological study is ongoing (R. Mulwa, in litt.), and it is possible that the species' threat status may be down-graded. Non-bird biodiversity: The tree Memecylon greenwayi is endemic to Mt Kasigau. The Taita Hills endemic Psychotria taitensis is found here, and probably other Taita Hills specialities also occur.
Delineation rationale: 2014-02-27 (BL Secretariat): site area of 870 ha calculated from KBA polygon, rounded to nearest 10%.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Characteristic trees include Cola greenwayi, Newtonia buchananii, Zysygium and Diospros. At lower altitudes, this grades into all Newtonia buchananii woodland, then low woodland and thickets dominated by Dombeya, Brachylaena, Vangueira, Comiphora and euphorbia, and finally low scrub and bush near the base, at around 700m. Mt Kasigau has geological and biogeographic affinities with nearby Taita Hills (IBA 21).
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The indigenous forest on the summit of Mt Kasigau is relatively undisturbed (Pilgrim, in press), thanks to a combination of the mountain's precipitous slopes and its importance as a water catchment for surrounding villages. However, the construction of a water pipeline has opned up the lower slopes to pole harvesting and grazing. There appears to be a high level of conservation awareness among the local people (Pilgrim, in press) and good potential for eco-tourism (Barness et al. 1998)
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Introduced genetic material | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Barness et al. 1998, Pilgrim in press.