Koffe swamp (6279)
Ethiopia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Koffe swamp
Central coordinates: Latitude: 7.6590, Longitude: 36.8010
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1650 to 1670
Area of KBA (km2): 3.37374
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Koffe swamp is 7 km south-west of Jimma, the capital of Jimma Zone. It is on the Jimma–Seka road in an area of relatively flat land, surrounded by small hills. Small rivers in the area include the Kilo and Melka Faki. Koffe swamp supports significant expanses of Typha sp., but there is no further information on vegetation. However, at Jimma Airport, the swamp near the road also comprises Persicaria spp. and Alisma plantago-aquatica, while the meadow around the airport has several species of grasses up to 1 m tall. Areas of short grassland, which are intensively grazed, contain Cynodon dactylon and some clumps of Hyparrhenia sp. The dominant crop is maize, but the farmers also grow root and other crops.
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 CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the East Afromontane Hotspot. Species taxonomy and threat category was based on IUCN Red List 2010-4.
Additional biodiversity: See Box for key species. Koffe swamp is believed to be a breeding location for Grus carunculatus, with at least 10 present in December 1995. According to local inhabitants, the species breeds in the wetlands of the Koffe Peasants’ Association, with birds also seen on the nearby Jimma Airport wetland. Macronyx flavicollis also occurs (at least 10 birds), as do small numbers of various Palearctic and Afrotropical ducks and geese. In all, 78 species have been recorded at the site. Sarothrura rufa is also known to occur in Koffe swamp, and various Palearctic crake species may use the site seasonally. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Delineation rationale: 2010-02-03 (BL Secretariat): site area was not defined in the original IBA publication/inventory; here, it has been derived by GIS from the draft polygon.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 95 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Koffe swamp is totally unprotected, although it is part of an area controlled by the Koffe Peasants’ Association. A disturbing report was that the eggs of Grus carunculatus are being collected and sold. The farmers view these birds as pests because they voraciously eat Eragrostis tef, particularly when it is about to mature. There is a small-scale industry in the area making red-clay bricks from soil dug out of the swamp area. The area under crops is expanding at the expense of the few remaining patches of natural forest and woodland.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Ethiopian Wildlife and Natural History Society Survey Team (1995).