Marotandrano Special Reserve (6550)
Madagascar, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Réserve Spéciale de Marotandrano
Central coordinates: Latitude: -16.4240, Longitude: 48.7050
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 700 to 1200
Area of KBA (km2): 407.44619
Protected area coverage (%): 95.18
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Marotandrano Special Reserve is located south of the town of Marotandrano, 4 km south of Mandritsara. The main rivers which rise in the area are the Amboaboa, Andranokelilalina and Andramy, which flow to the Indian Ocean, and the Vatolahy and Mahatsara, which flow to the Mozambique Channel. The vegetation is mid-altitude, dense, humid evergreen forest, lying at the western limit of such habitat. Trees of Tambourissa, Dalbergia, Onchostemum and Canarium dominate the upper layer, while the mid-stratum is characterized by tree-ferns, bamboo-lianas and palms. On the ridges, the lower vegetation layer is dense and characterized by thick grass clumps.
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. 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. Among the 76 recorded species, two are little known—Eutriorchis astur and Tyto soumagnei—and 49 are endemic to Madagascar. Non-bird biodiversity: 1>Lemurs: Eulemur rubriventer (VU), Varecia variegata variegata (EN), Propithecus diadema diadema (EN), Indri indri (EN).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 78 | |
| Savanna | 22 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Slash-and-burn cultivation and hunting of lemurs are likely to constitute threats. However, the forest remains mostly intact.
| 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: ZICOMA (1999).