Saint Augustin Forest (6588)
Madagascar, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Forêt de Saint-Augustin
Central coordinates: Latitude: -23.4210, Longitude: 43.9180
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 485.62836
Protected area coverage (%): 70.05
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site is located on the northern bank of the Onilahy river, about 20 km south of Toliara. It is bordered in the west by rocky banks and humid sands and has a rugged micro-relief. A tributary of the Onilahy rises within the forest. The vegetation is composed of xerophilous bushland, dominated by Euphorbiaceae, with an open canopy (up to 4–5 m high).
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. Calicalicus rufocarpalis, a recently described species, is known only from this site and from the Mahafaly Plateau Forest complex (IBA MG070).
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 85 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Most of the bushland is intact, except along the road-edge, where it was significantly exploited in the past, especially for charcoal production. The risk of habitat destruction is currently low since the local population is composed of fishermen.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Goodman et al. (1997), Hawkins et al. (1998).