Kianyaga valleys (6392)
Kenya, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2011

National site name: Kianyaga valleys

Central coordinates: Latitude: -0.4420, Longitude: 37.5880

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1200 to 1600

Area of KBA (km²): 79.29842

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Kianyaga comprises a landscape of ridges and steep-sided valleys on the south-eastern slopes of Mount Kenya. These valleys often hold small, swampy streams, which drain into tributaries of the Tana river. The area is entirely settled and cultivated, predominantly with coffee and maize; arrowroot and other crops are grown in the valleys. The remaining small areas of natural wetland include plants such as Triumfetta tomentosa, Croton macrostachyus and Cyperus rotundus. Scattered indigenous trees, mainly Prunus africana, Ficus natalensis and Millettia dura, still remain. Thickets of the exotic Lantana camara occur at the edges of cultivation, in fallow farmland and untended coffee plantations, and in inaccessible parts of the valleys.

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 and Table 2 for key species. The diversity of other birds is low: a six-month study carried out in 1993 recorded only 94 species, all characteristic of disturbed habitats in the central highlands. However, this is a centre of abundance for the threatened, restricted-range Turdoides hindei, a species endemic to central Kenya. Groups of this babbler occupy many of the valleys and swamps, with an estimated total population size of 250 birds in 66 groups (3.1 birds/km of watercourse). Non-bird biodiversity: Very little other wildlife of note occurs.

Delineation rationale: 2013-07-10 (BL Secretariat): following CEPF East Afromontane ecosystem profiling process, the reported IBA area of 12000 ha has been changed to 60000 ha (as measured in GIS from latest boundary polygon, rounded to nearest 10%).

Habitats

Land use: agriculture (100%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	82
Wetlands(Inland)	5
Savanna	5
Shrubland	2
Artificial - Terrestrial	5

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: This site is critically important for the conservation of Turdoides hindei. These babblers live in groups in the river valleys and swamps, and depend on small thickets of the exotic Lantana camara for shelter and nest sites. The fast-growing human population is intensifying pressure on the land. Almost all the natural wetland vegetation has been cleared for cultivation, and smaller and smaller areas are left fallow. Babbler breeding success is already low, apparently as a result of human disturbance, and the birds are also hunted for food. With adequate thicket cover, the babblers can persist in habitats severely modified by people. However, their conservation in this agricultural setting will require innovative approaches—perhaps the setting aside of a number of small sanctuaries centred on schools and other public institutions, as well as an extensive public education campaign.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Annual & perennial non-timber crops	Small-holder farming	Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use)	Ongoing

Additional information