Coastal cliffs between Porto Mosquito and Baia do Inferno (6139)
Cape Verde, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2016

National site name: Coastal cliffs between Porto Mosquito and Baia do Inferno

Central coordinates: Latitude: 15.0053, Longitude: -23.7161

Elevation (m): 0 to 200

Area of KBA (km²): 2.12222

KBA classification: Regional

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site comprises a c.8 km stretch of rugged cliffs along the south-western coast of the island of Santiago, from the fishermen’s village of Porto Mosquito to Baia do Inferno (Baia de Santa Clara), a large and relatively well-sheltered bay. The average height of the cliffs is c.30 m, but at Baia do Inferno they rise to 200 m and are exceedingly steep.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mediterranean Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and global threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.

Additional biodiversity: See Box for key species. The colony of Sula leucogaster on the southern cliffs of Baia do Inferno is the largest in Cape Verde and holds c.300 pairs (1988 estimate). Scattered pairs of Phaethon aethereus breed along this stretch of coast, the steepness of the cliffs explaining their survival. Together with some other scattered pairs which occur elsewhere along the coast, Santiago now holds about a quarter of the current total population of 100–125 pairs in Cape Verde. One or two pairs of Pandion haliaetus and some pairs of Egretta garzetta also breed along the cliffs. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.

Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.

Habitats

Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | not utilised

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Fishermen regularly collect eggs and chicks from the Sula leucogaster colony. Phaethon aethereus is probably also affected by these activities, but the steepness of the cliffs is thought to have a moderating effect.

Additional information