Lake Ihotry - Mangoky Delta Complex NPA (6583)
Madagascar, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, B2, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: NAP Complexe Lac Ihotry - Delta du Mangoky
Central coordinates: Latitude: -21.6333, Longitude: 43.6500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 1761.04529
Protected area coverage (%): 90.57
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This complex is located 30 km north-east of Morombe, and comprises Lake Ihotry, the Mangoky river and delta, and associated riverine marshes near the Ankiliabo–Nosy Ambositra road. The lake is brackish and c.3 m deep. Its area varies seasonally, from 960 ha up to 11,200 ha, and it is only sparsely vegetated, with some reed Phragmites, sedge Cyperus and water-lily Nymphaea. Mangrove, dominated by Rhizophora and Avicennia, occurs all along the delta coast, from Mangolovolo to Andranopasy. The marsh vegetation consists mainly of Cyperus, reed-mace Typha, Typhonodorum, Phragmites and Nymphaea. Near the wetlands, on sandy soil, there is dry deciduous forest, dominated by Didiereaceae and Euphorbiaceae, as well as sub-arid spiny bushland, and savanna with occasional trees of Tamarindus and Zizyphus.
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. One hundred and six species are known from this site, of which 23 are endemic to Madagascar. Amaurornis olivieri was found in the marsh of Nosy Ambositra in 1960, but has not been recorded since then. Lake Ihotry is an exceptional site for foraging and roosting waterbirds, notably during the northern winter. During the dry season, muddy areas attract large numbers of waders, and the site is also a dry-season refuge for waterbirds that use the seasonal wetlands between Morombe and Toliara. Significant numbers of Phoenicopterus ruber and Tachybaptus ruficollis have been observed, and also large numbers of other birds, such as Anas erythrorhyncha and Tringa nebularia. Non-bird biodiversity: Lemurs: Lemur catta (VU), Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi (VU). Carnivore: Cryptoprocta ferox (VU).
Delineation rationale: 2016-03-23 (BL Secretariat): the site area has been changed from 139,520 ha (1999 IBA) to 176,105 ha (2014 KBA).NAP Complexe Lac Ihotry - Delta du Mangoky
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 15 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 40 | |
| Forest | 35 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Poaching, uncontrolled burning of grassland for pasture, and clearance for agriculture are severe threats. The latter two processes put the wetlands at risk of silting up. Mangrove trees are exploited for their bark (for tannin) and timber.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing | |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Appert (1966,1968a, 1970, 1972), Griveaud (1960), Jenkins (1987), Rand (1936), Salomonsen (1934a), World Wide Fund for Nature–Madagascar (1997).