Lake Sahaka - Analabe NPA and extension (6529)
Madagascar, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: NAP Lac Sahaka - Analabe et extension
Central coordinates: Latitude: -13.1000, Longitude: 49.8833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 40
Area of KBA (km2): 2.77767
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site lies on the eastern littoral, and is flat with sandy soil. It includes the freshwater Lake Sahaka—part of which, Lake Gendarme (120 ha) 0> is a Hunting Reserve—as well as the neighbouring wetlands Ampanasina-North, Ampanasina-Centre, Ampanasina-South, Ampasirabe, Doanihely and Doanibe. Lake Sahaka is fed by the Antsahampano river and many springs, and flows into the Manambato river. There is a large variety of habitats, including clearwater lakes, expanses of water-lilies (Nymphaeaceae), marshes with reedbeds of Phragmites, seasonal lakes, savanna with palms Bismarckia and baobabs (Bombacaceae), and a block of littoral forest. Part of the lake surface has been invaded by non-native water-hyacinth Eichhornia. The lake has good fish stocks and is a refuge for waterbirds.
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.
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. Fifty-two species are known from the site, of which 14 are endemic to Madagascar. The location of the site between the East and West Malagasy biomes explains the presence of western species such as Actophilornis albinucha, Falculea palliata, Ploceus sakalava, and of one species specific to eastern wetlands (Anas melleri). The African species Ardea goliath, which is very rare in Madagascar, has been observed at the site. Species of global conservation concern include Ardeola idae. Non-bird biodiversity: Lemurs: Eulemur coronatus (VU), E. fulvus sanfordi (VU). Reptiles: Boa madagascariensis (VU), B. manditra (VU).
Delineation rationale: The 2006 KBA Daraina (Loky - Manambato) SAPM KBA (SitRecID 22449) has been split into 3 KBAs in 2014: NAP Daraina - Loky - Manambato (SitRecID 45501), Bobakindro (Salafaina) (45350) and NAP Lac Sahaka-Analabe (6529; also a 1999 IBA).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 33 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 67 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats to the site include fishing, rice cultivation on shallow marshes, and hunting. Repeated bush-fires have increased soil erosion, and thus sedimentation in the lakes, resulting in the seasonal drying-out of Lake Gendarme and of the Ampasirabe wetlands.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Persecution/control | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the future |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Small dams | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Only in the past and unlikely to return | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Only in the past and unlikely to return | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Temperature extremes | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Safford et al. (1998), Sana (1987).