Zafimaniry Forest (6599)
Madagascar, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Forêt de Zafimaniry

Central coordinates: Latitude: -20.7167, Longitude: 47.4500

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 1000 to 1200

Area of KBA (km²): 152.08093

Protected area coverage (%): 39.50

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: This site is located south-east of Ambositra, on the eastern escarpment, and generally consists of a very undulating plateau, descending towards the east. Two tributaries of the Mananjary river flow through the forest—the Maintinandry and the Ambinanindrano. These are fast-flowing, permanent rivers with waterfalls, which can be as high as 60 m. The mid-altitude, dense, humid evergreen forest is dominated by Dalbergia, Weinmannia and Symphonia.

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. Fifty-six species are known from the site, of which 35 are endemic to Madagascar. The bird community is typical of humid forest. Species of global conservation concern include Lophotibis cristata, Atelornis pittoides, Phyllastrephus cinereiceps, Crossleyia xanthophrys, Dromaeocercus brunneus and Pseudobias wardi. Non-bird biodiversity: Lemurs: Eulemur rubriventer (VU), Propithecus diadema edwardsi (EN).

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | forestry

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	33
Forest	67

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include slash-and-burn cultivation, exploitation for wood, grazing, and collection of wild honey.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Biological resource use	Gathering terrestrial plants	Persecution/control	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources	Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Fire & fire suppression	Trend Unknown/Unrecorded	Ongoing
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Ongoing
Transportation & service corridors	Roads & railroads		Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Other ecosystem modifications		Ongoing

Additional information