Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park and extension (6586)
Madagascar, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2014

National site name: Parc National de Zombitse-Vohibasia et extension

Central coordinates: Latitude: -22.6350, Longitude: 44.7980

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 485 to 825

Area of KBA (km²): 562.74379

Protected area coverage (%): 61.24

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: This site lies c.10 km from Sakaraha and 130 km from Toliara, and consists of the Zombitse, Vohibasia and Isoky-Vohimena Forests, which cover a gently undulating terrain of dome-shaped sandstone hills. The Isalo massif lies to the east, and a calcareous plateau (820 m high) to the west—both are oriented north–south. The soil is sandy. The Fiherenana and Teheza rivers, tributaries of the Onilahy, rise within the Zombitse and Vohibasia Forests. The vegetation consists of dense deciduous forest and xerophilous bushland, dominated by Securinega, Malleastrum, Carissa and Teclea, with some emergents, such as Commiphora and Brachylaena. The xerophilous bushland is characterized by species of Euphorbia, Adansonia and Dialium.

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) 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. Ninety species are known from this site, of which 38 are endemic to Madagascar. One of the endemic species, Phyllastrephus apperti, is known only from the forests of Zombitse and Analavelona (IBA MG066). Two species, Thamnornis chloropetoides and Nesillas lantzii, are characteristic of spiny forest. Monticola bensoni is recorded here seasonally. Non-bird biodiversity: Lemurs: Mirza coquereli (VU), Phaner furcifer pallescens (VU), Lemur catta (VU), Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi (VU). Carnivore: Cryptoprocta ferox (VU). Bats: Scotophilus robustus (nt), Mormopterus jugularis (VU). Reptile: Phelsuma standingi (VU).

Delineation rationale: 2016-02-25 (BL Secretariat): this 1999 IBA (36,803 ha) has been expanded to 56,274 ha, via merger with the surrounding 2006 KBA 'Areas surrounding Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park' (SitRecID 22506; 19,325 ha); because the habitat and trigger species are identical across both of these sites, the IBA has just been expanded, rather than creating a new site in WBDB.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | hunting | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	72
Shrubland	5
Savanna	15
Grassland	5

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The park is a biological reservoir of primary importance, due to its location straddling the western and southern domains of Madagascar. Route Nationale 7 runs through Zombitse Forest. The main threats include exploitation of forest species, cattle-grazing, vegetation clearance and deforestation for maize cultivation or production of charcoal, as well as uncontrolled bush-fires.

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
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Ongoing

Additional information