Gorongosa National Park and Marromeu Complex (49160)
Mozambique, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A1d, A1e, B1
Year of last assessment: 2020
National site name: Parque Nacional de Gorongosa e Complexo de Marromeu
Central coordinates: Latitude: -18.6154, Longitude: 35.0381
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Elevation (m): 0 to 1863
Area of KBA (km2): 23087.87626
Protected area coverage (%): 80.75
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: The proposed KBA covers an area about 23087 km2 encompassing in its western portion the Gorongosa National Park (GNP) including its buffer zone, and in its eastern portion, the Marromeu Complex located in Zambezi Delta. The GNP (Western portion) is situated at the southern end of the Great Rift Valley system that extends from Ethiopia in East Africa down into Mozambique (Stalmans and Beilfuss, 2008; Parque Nacional da Gorongosa, 2018). The Rift Valley is the salient feature of the area with its 40 km wide valley floor that sits at only 15 to 80 meters above sea level (Stalmans and Beilfuss, 2008). The eastern edge of the Rift Valley rises up to 300 m to form the Cheringoma Plateau (Stalmans and Beilfuss, 2008). The western edge of the Rift Valley is characterized by the deeply dissected Midlands region that rises to 400 m (Stalmans and Beilfuss, 2008). The Gorongosa Mountain also called “Serra da Gorongosa” is perched on the Midlands. It is an isolated massif about 30 km (N-S) long and 20 km (E-W) wide. The highest point is the Gogogo peak with 1863 m above sea level. (Vogier, 2009; Stalmans and Beilfuss, 2008). The Marromeu Complex (Eastern portion) covers the southern half of the Zambezi Delta (at the downstream terminus of the Zambezi River) and the adjacent Cheringoma escarpment (Beilfuss et al., 2010). The Marromeu Complex includes the Marromeu special Reserve, two forest reserves (Nhampacué and Inhamitanga), four hunting concessions (Coutada Oficial no. 10, 11, 12, and 14), large commercial agricultural lands (notably the Sena Estates, the largest sugar plantation in Mozambique), and community lands (Beilfuss et al., 2010; Beilfuss,2015).The climate in this region varies with altitude (Vogier, 2009). In general, the region is under a tropical savanna climate, except for Gorongosa mountain which has a warm rainy climate (Vogier, 2009). The rainfall of the area ranges from 700-2000 mm, being the Cheringoma Plateau (over 1000) the Marromeu Complex (1150 mm) and Gorongosa mountain (over 2000 mm) the sites with the highest rainfall (Stalmans and Beilfuss, 2008; Beilfuss,2015).In terms of hydrology, the GNP and its Buffer Zone are drained by a multitude of rivers and streams (Stalmans and Beilfuss, 2008). The drainage is from Gorongosa Mountain, the Midlands and the Cheringoma Plateau down into the Rift Valley. The lake Urema is at the epicenter of the drainage with its overflow draining into the Pungue River and down to the ocean. On the other hand, the Marromeu Complex is connected to the Zambezi River, the largest river system in southern Africa, through a series of distributary channels via the Salone depression (Beilfuss et al., 2010). Within the GNP area, the seasonal flooding and waterlogging of the valley composed of a mosaic of different soil types creates a variety of distinct ecosystems (Parque Nacional da gorongosa, 2010). Grasslands are dotted with patches of Acacia, savanna and dry forest. The plateaus contain miombo forest (Parque Nacional da gorongosa, 2010). The Gorongosa Mountain consists of Brachystegia woodland on the lower slopes, dense evergreen forest at altitudes between 1,200 and 1,500, and montane grassland at the summit, with forest patches in the ravines (Müller et al., 2012). The Marromeu Complex is a part of the Lower Zambezi Freshwater Ecoregion and includes a mosaic of wetland communities grading from acacia and palm savanna at the floodplain periphery to seasonally flooded grassland, papyrus swamps, evergreen forests, and open water bodies on the low-lying plains to mangrove forest and mudflats bordered by dunes near the coast (Beilfuss et al., 2010; Beilfuss, 2015). The proposed area as a whole has very low human population densities and very few roads;
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. This proposed site is ecologically unique, with high species diversity and environmental features found nowhere else in sub-Saharan Africa (Parque Nacional da gorongosa, 2010). The Gorongosa Mountains and Gorongosa National Park already have the Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) status and have already been recognized by Parker (2001), together with the Marromeu Complex (Zambeze Delta), as Important Bird Area (IBA). Additionally, the Government of Mozambique designated the Marromeu Complex as the country’s first and only Wetland of International Importance (Beilfuss et al., 2010; Beilfuss, 2015). Because of its considerable ecological and socio-economic values, the Marromeu Complex is among the most important wetlands in Africa (Beilfuss, 2015). In fact, the complex is a global example of a wetland that plays a substantial hydrological, biological, and ecological role in the natural functioning of a major river basin and coastal system (Beilfuss, 2015). These designations on Gorongosa National Park, and Marromeu Complex serve to highlight the importance of this site for biodiversity, not only for Mozambique, but globally. Additionally, the Special Spatial Planning Plan (PEOT) of part of the Zambezi Valley (Government of Mozambique, 2016) establishes a. Green System, and its southern region consists of the existing Conservation Areas (part of the huntig concessions, IBAs and Marromeu Complex) and the proposed Conservation Areas, which include a potential Environmental Protection Area and new important areas for the conservation of several species. This proposal for the Environmental Protection Area of the Zambezi Delta is essentially located in the Districts of Chinde and Marromeu, integrates the entire water system of the Zambezi estuary and creates a buffer zone for the Special Reserve of Marromeu. The boundaries of this proposed KBAs considers the proposed wildlife corridor connecting the Gorongosa National Park to the Marromeu Complex through Coutada nb 12, which will facilitate wildlife movement and will be under as the same management as the GNP. The entire site holds significant proportions of the global population of 24 species across six taxonomic groups including Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Freshwater Fish, Butterflies and Plants therefore, meeting the KBA criteria. The KBA trigger species include four threatened mammals, namely: African Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus – EN), Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius – VU), Lion (Panthera leo – VU) and African Elephants (Loxodonta africana – VU); four threatened Birds namely: the Grey Crowned Crane (Balearica regulorum – EN), Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus – VU), White-headed Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis – CR) and the White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus – CR); four reptiles, which two are threatened, namely: the Mount Gorongosa Pygmy Chameleon (Rhampholeon gorongosae – EN) and the Zambezi Flapshell Turtle (Cycloderma frenatum – EN), and one is restricted range species, namely: the Mount Gorongosa Flat Gecko (Afroedura gorongosa – LC). The list also includes one restricted distribution Freshwater Fish: Nothobranchius kadleci (NT); two restricted distribution Butterfly species which have been recently assessed under the IUCN Red list (the species were submitted April 2020): Acraea dondoensis and Graphium junodi and eight Plant species, which five are threatened including Impatiens wuerstenii (VU), Streptocarpus brachynema (EN), both endemic and confined to Mt Gorongosa, , Cordia stuhlmannii (VU) found in the northern Cheringoma Plateau around Inhamitanga, Dorstenia zambesiaca (VU) found only in the Inhamitanga region and Tarenna longipedicellata (VU) largely confined to the Cheringoma Plateau. Other two species are not threatened but have restricted distribution namely Acacia torrei (LC) endemic from the Urema basin, and Justicia gorongozana (LC) Known from the Cheringoma Plateau. This site also may hold the Aloe rhodesiana (VU) found in montane grassland, known from only 16 collections, collected between 1902 and 1981. Given the uncertainty of its occurrence inside the proposed site it was excluded from this assessment. Apart from the species described above, this site holds many other threatened species particularly mammals, such as Leopard (Panthera pardus – VU), Temminck"s Pangolin (Smutsia temminckii – VU) (Parque Nacional da Gorongosa, 2018) and other threatened birds such Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos -EN) (Parker, 2005) and Swynnerton’s Robin (Swynnertonia swynnertoni – VU) found in the Gorongosa Mountains which may also hold the Blue swallow (Hirundo atrocaerulea – VU) (Parker, 2001) Additionally, this site supports the densest concentration of Waterbirds in Mozambique and the largest breeding colonies of Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) in southern Africa (Beilfuss et al., 2010); This site also is within some of critically threatened ecoregion such: Southern Zanzibar‐Inhambane Coastal Forest Mosaic; Zambezian Coastal Flooded Savanna ecoregion; East African Mangrove (Beilfuss et al., 2010) Furthermore, new species have been recently recorded and described at this site, such as Freshwater Crab (Potamonautes gorongosa) described by Cumberlidge et al. (2016); a new Bat species (Rhinolophus gorongosae) which occurs only in Gorongosa National Park and possibly on nearby Mount Mecula and is considered the Africa’s smallest Horseshoe Bat (Parque Nacional da Gorongosa, 2018); a new species and genus of Katydids (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), described by Naskrecki and Guta (2019), and new plant species Cola cheringoma, which seems to be restricted to the Cheringoma Plateau, described by Cheek et al., (2019). Given the reasons above, which regards this site as one of the most important contributing to biodiversity persistence worldwide, it has therefore been suggested that the area covering Gorongosa National Park to Marromeu complex is recognized as KBA acknowledging that biodiversity elements triggering KBA status are present.
Delineation rationale: in general, It was not necessary to draw new boundaries, the proposed KBA boundaries followed strictly the recognized protected areas, including buffers zones. The western section: The proposed KBA boundaries followed the recognized boundaries of the Gorongosa National Park including the proposed buffer zone expansion. The Eastern section: followed the existing boundaries of Marromeu Complex, which includes Marromeu special Reserve (in yellow), four hunting concessions (Coutada Oficial no. 10, 11, 12, and 14) and Nhampacué and Inhamitanga forest reserves. The two sites (Gorongosa National park and Marromeu complex) qualify as KBA separately, but after several consultation, including with gorongosa management enteties , have been suggested that this area should be regarded as one KBA. By working with nearby communities , planners hope to create wildlife corridor from Mount Gorongosa to the Indian Ocea. The proposed KBA boundaries consider the proposed wildlife corridor connecting the Gorongosa National Park to the Marromeu Complex through Coutada n 12, which will facilitate wildlife movement. The Coutada 12 is already being managed by the Gorongosa National Park, through an agreement signed with the Entreposto Group in 2016 . The management authorities are working closely and they aim to enhance joint management of the whole area.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Savanna | 20 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 40 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Only in the future |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Small dams | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Only in the future |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (unknown use) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Only in the future |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Small-holder plantations | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Agro-industry plantations | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or 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 | Problematic native species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Run-off | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Intentional use: large scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Only in the future |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Viral/prion-induced diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | In the past but now suspended and likely to return | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | War, civil unrest & military exercises | Only in the past and unlikely to return | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Temperature extremes | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Only in the future | |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Only in the future | |
| Energy production & mining | Oil & gas drilling | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | War, civil unrest & military exercises | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |