Sahamalaza - Radama Islands National Marine Park (6539)
Madagascar, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Parc National Marin Sahamalaza - Iles Radama
Central coordinates: Latitude: -14.1620, Longitude: 47.9830
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 355
Area of KBA (km2): 644.76917
Protected area coverage (%): 27.83
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site comprises the Sahamalaza peninsula, the 30-km-long bay itself, the mangrove to the east of the peninsula (8,400 ha) and the coral reefs to the west (more than 10,000 ha). The peninsula has steep slopes, rising to 170 m in the southern part. Its west coast is stony and rocky, with mangroves. The principal rivers flowing into the bay are the Andranomalaza, which passes the town of Maromandia, and the Manamboro and Samonta, which lie to the south. On the slopes, the vestiges of a dense, dry deciduous forest form two blocks, situated in the south (Analavory Forest) and west (north of Ambinda village) of the peninsula. The dominant tree species include Dalbergia, Albizia and Tamarindus. The north-eastern part has been cleared of forest, but seems to be regenerating. In the mangroves, all eight mangrove tree species found in Madagascar are present, and can reach more than 8 m in height.
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 Table 3 for key species. The site is important for several pairs of Haliaeetus vociferoides and large flocks of Sterna bengalensis. Non-bird biodiversity: Lemurs: Phaner furcifer (nt), Eulemur macaco flavifrons (CR), Hapalemur griseus occidentalis (VU), Lepilemur dorsalis (VU), Avahi occidentalis (VU), Daubentonia madagascariensis (EN). Carnivore: Cryptoprocta ferox (VU).
Delineation rationale: Type 2 marine IBA: non-breeding (coastal) congregations.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Savanna | 2 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 47 | |
| Forest | 49 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: A consortium of universities and zoos, acting on behalf of MEF, is studying the possible designation of Sahamalaza Bay as a national park. The site is experiencing over-exploitation of its natural resources, such as mangrove products and sea-cucumbers of the coral reefs. Slash-and-burn cultivation and burning of grassland also constitute threats to the site.
| 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 |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Andriamanandratra (1996), Andrianantenaina (1996), Commission Nationale Malgache pour l’UNESCO (1998), Iltis (1996), Rakotondravony (1996), Raselimanana (1995), Ravokatra (1996).