Coastal area East of Antsiranana (6523)
Madagascar, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2014

National site name: Côte à l'Est d'Antsiranana

Central coordinates: Latitude: -12.6810, Longitude: 49.6485

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 10

Area of KBA (km²): 263.07328

Protected area coverage (%): 14.42

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site is located 60 km south-east of Antsiranana. It is composed of two areas: the Ambolobozokely wetlands and the Manampaho archipelago. The lakes and mangroves of Ambolobozokely wetlands are located on the coast between Antsiranana and Iharana (Vohimar), about 45 km from Antsiranana. The villages of Ambolobozokely and Ambolobozobe are located respectively north and south of the site. The lakes include stretches of water partially covered by non-native Mimosa pudica and water-hyacinth Eichhornia. Most of these lakes are temporary. The levels of the others, including Lakes Ambondromifehy and Marofotsy, vary seasonally. The mangroves are dense and separated by stretches of seawater. They are little disturbed and include trees 3–5 m high on average. The waters immediately offshore are 0.7–1.5 m deep but may be 2.5 m deep at high tide. The islands of Tendro and Lowry are located in the far north and far south of this area. Manampaho archipelago includes the islands located between Irodo Bay and Andravina Bay, i.e. Manampaho, Korika, Ankao, Ratsy, Satrana, Vahala and Ambolonosy. Manampaho is surrounded by sand beaches and is covered by savanna, with scrub (1.5–2 m high), palms (e.g. Cocos nucifera) and mats of Ipomoea. Korika and Ambalanosy are mountainous islets, covered by savanna, with trees/bushes (5–8 m high). Satrana island is covered by coconut Cocos and Bismarckia palms. It is inhabited by fishermen with the result that there are no aquatic birds. Akomba, Manambiby and Ankao are the largest islands: they are inhabited and covered by savanna. Vahala is mountainous and uninhabited.

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 CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Hotspot (2014). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat status follow the 2013 IUCN Red List.

Additional biodiversity: See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. Twenty-nine species are known from the site, of which three are endemic to Madagascar. This is currently the only known site where Anas bernieri can be found on the east coast. Sterna fuscata breeds on Manampaho. Herons (Ardeidae) roost on Korika and Ambalanosy islets.

Delineation rationale: 2014-03-11 (BL Secretariat): a site area of 22565 ha was calculated by GIS from the 2006 KBA polygon. 2016-02-18 (BL Secretariat): site area reduced to 12258 ha (2014 KBA).

Habitats

Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | hunting | not utilised

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Fishing and hunting are threats, especially when birds are congregating. There is significant collection of Sterna fuscata eggs on Manampaho.

Additional information