Masoala National Park (6538)
Madagascar, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e, B2
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Parc National de Masoala
Central coordinates: Latitude: -15.5130, Longitude: 50.1190
System: freshwater, marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 1224
Area of KBA (km2): 2070.58096
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site is located on the Masoala peninsula. It consists of a terrestrial area, covering 67% of the forested massif of the peninsula in the west, and a marine area that includes three reserves—Tampolo, Tanjona and Cape Masoala—and a marine sanctuary in Antongil Bay. The western slope of the peninsula, starting c.10 km in from the coast, is very steep while the eastern slope, c.50 km wide, inclines gently. About 98% of the site’s land surface is covered by more or less intact, low- to mid-altitude, humid evergreen forest.
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. One hundred and eleven species are known from the site, of which 60 are endemic to Madgascar. The park is the first site where research could be carried out on Eutriorchis astur and it is the best known area for the protection of this threatened species. Non-bird biodiversity: Plants: there are palms which are endemic to the Sahavavy, Hiaraka and Antalavia region, such as Marojejya darainii, Dypsis pachyramea and Lemurophoenix halleuxi, as well as a carnivorous pitcher-plant endemic to the peninsula, Nepenthes masoalensis. Lemurs: Varecia variegata rubra (CR), Daubentonia madagascariensis (EN), Phaner furcifer furcifer (nt). Carnivores: Fossa fossana (VU), Galidictis fasciata (VU), Eupleres goudotii (EN), Cryptoprocta ferox (VU), Salanoia concolor (VU).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 98 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 2 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats to the site include slash-and-burn cultivation, exploitation for wood, and hunting of lemurs, wild boar and some bird species, as well as collection of other wild foodstuffs and medicinal plants.
| 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 |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Andreone, (1994), Andriamampianina and Peyrieras (1972), Aurivillius and Aurivillius (1994), Berkelman (1997), Eguchi et al. (1993), Jenkins (1987), Nicoll and Langrand (1989), Razafindrasoa (1996), Safford and Duckworth (1990), Thiollay and Meyburg (1981), Thorstrom et al. (1994), Thorstrom and Watson (1997), Thorstrom et al. (1994),Wildlife Conservation Society (1995).