South Anjanaharibe Special Reserve and extension (6536)
Madagascar, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e, B2
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Réserve Spéciale d'Anjanaharibe-Sud et extension
Central coordinates: Latitude: -14.7080, Longitude: 49.4460
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 2064
Area of KBA (km2): 562.29217
Protected area coverage (%): 61.86
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site is a highly indented mountainous massif, composed of migmatite, quartzite and granite, and with steep slopes. Its north-eastern part, which is steeper, is part of the crystalline edge of the Andapa basin. Annual rainfall can exceed 3,000 mm at the higher altitudes. The reserve is the most important watershed for the rivers flowing to the north and the south of the Andapa basin to join the rivers flowing to the east. The main rivers are the Andramonta in the north, the Marolakana in the centre, and the Ankaibe and Manandriana in the south-east. Three types of vegetation can be found: low-altitude, dense, humid evergreen forest (up to 900 m); mid-altitude, dense, humid evergreen forest (900–1,100 m); and dense montane forest (above 1,100 m). Notable forest trees include Dalbergia, Diospyros, Weinmannia and Eugenia.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Alliance for Zero Extinction (2018): site confirmed as an AZE site during the AZE project (2015-2018). Taxonomy, nomenclature and Red List category follow the IUCN 2016 Red List.
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. The site holds most of the species that are characteristic of the eastern forest. Non-bird biodiversity: Lemurs: Allocebus trichotis (CR), Eulemur rubriventer (VU), Indri indri (EN), Propithecus diadema candidus (EN), Daubentonia madagascariensis (EN). Carnivores: Cryptoprocta ferox (VU), Fossa fossana (VU).
Habitats
Land use: forestry | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 55 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 1 | |
| Unknown | 2 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The reserve is a hydrological reservoir for the Andapa basin, one of the main rice-growing areas in Madagascar. The reserve is also important for ecotourism. Threats to the site include illegal exploitation of wood, hunting, collection of the bark of some tree species to flavour alcoholic beverages, and gem-mining.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Goodman (1998), Halleux and Goodman (1994), Hawkins (1995a), Hawkins et al. (1998), Nicoll and Langrand (1989), Rand (1936), Thiollay (1998).