Didy and Ivondro wetlands (6571)
Madagascar, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Zone humide de Didy et Ivondro
Central coordinates: Latitude: -18.2000, Longitude: 48.5333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 800 to 1026
Area of KBA (km2): 401.56145
Protected area coverage (%): 25.82
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Didy and Ivondro wetlands are located 35 km south-east of Ambatondrazaka, with the villages of Manakambahiny and Sorantelo lying to the north, Ambodinonoka to the south, Didy to the east and Ambohimanjaka to the west. The site is composed of a large natural marsh linked to small lakes and pools, and of the Ivondro river. The marsh vegetation is dominated by sedges (Cyperaceae) and grasses (Gramineae) no more than 1 m high. Its water being acid, the marsh has relatively poor fish-stocks, and fishing is not a significant human activity there. The Ivondro river flows eastwards across the southern part of the site, towards Didy Forest (which lies south-east of the marsh and is a mid-altitude, dense, 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.
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. Sixteen species are known from the site, of which four are endemic to Madagascar. Gallinago macrodactyla seems particularly common in the marsh. The Ivondro river is one of the few known breeding sites for Anas melleri.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats to the site and adjacent areas include hunting, exploitation for firewood, slash-and-burn cultivation, and collection of leaves (from marsh vegetation) for basketwork.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Soil erosion, sedimentation | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Pidgeon (1996).