Nassau mountain (23537)
Suriname, South America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Nassau gebergte
Central coordinates: Latitude: 4.8117, Longitude: -54.6022
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 24 to 585
Area of KBA (km2): 288.42564
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA is a bauxite hill, with the same unique flora and fauna as Brownsberg. It is covered with tropical rainforest on terra firma. The biodiversity is very high, but little research has been done.
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: The total number of species is 152 of which 25 are biome restricted. Hence this is an IBA on A3 criterion. Non-bird biodiversity: Nassau gebergte also has a high species richness of both flora and fauna, 79 ants species, 27 dung beetles, 35 fishes, 16 amphibians, 13 reptiles, 19 bat, 1 small mammal and 8 large mammal species have been recorded during the RAP survey in 2005. Nassau also contains many endemic fish species. ...........
Other site values: Owned by the state. Mining concession by Suralco.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: To facilitate small-scale mining activities and exploration activities for large scale mining, access routes have been created which in turn are used by hunters. As a result this habitat has been fragmentated.
Land use: energy production and mining (1%) | hunting | not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Goldmining. New Hammond is mining at the foot of the mountain but it is uncertain if this is inside or outside of the IBA. Illegal gold mining is also done at the foot of the mountain but it is uncertain if this is inside or outside the IBA. There is poaching by hunters from St. Laurent for restaurents in French Gayana. The mining concession by Suralco on the plateau is also a serious threat.
Additional information
References: Alonzo, L.E. and J. Mol, 2005, ' A rapid biological assessment of the Lely and Nassau Plateaus, Suriname (with additional information on the Brownsberg Plateau).'