Bidia Classified Forest (6565)
Madagascar, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Forêt Classée de Bidia

Central coordinates: Latitude: -16.8500, Longitude: 48.7333

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 800 to 1200

Area of KBA (km²): 361.38992

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Bidia Classified Forest lies c.30 km north-east of Andilamena. The site is a network of mountains, peaking at Bidia (1,200 m), which is part of the Marovoalavo plateau. The hydrological network is dense and dominated by the Befiaka, Vakoanina and Bidia rivers. The primary vegetation is composed of mid-altitude, dense, humid evergreen forest (frequently 25–30 m high), dominated by trees of Weinmannia, Dalbergia, Canarium and Eugenia. There are also secondary formations of traveller’s palm Ravenala and fallow areas dominated by Solanum and Harungana.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)

Additional biodiversity: See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. Sixty-two species are known from the site, of which 33 are endemic to Madagascar. Species characteristic of both low- and mid-altitudes occur. Species of global conservation concern include Tachybaptus pelzelnii, Atelornis pittoides, Dromaeocercus brunneus, Randia pseudozosterops and Pseudobias wardi. Non-bird biodiversity: 1>Lemurs: Varecia variegata variegata (EN), Indri indri (EN), Propithecus diadema diadema (EN). Carnivore: Cryptoprocta ferox (VU).

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | forestry | nature conservation and research | water management

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats to the site include forest clearance, which has already affected 5–10% of the forest area, wood-cutting, commercial collection of medicinal plants such as kotofy (an aphrodisiac) and Centella asiatica, and fires.

Additional information