Andringitra National Park (6601)
Madagascar, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1e
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Parc National d'Andringitra
Central coordinates: Latitude: -22.2292, Longitude: 46.9296
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Area of KBA (km2): 320.83132
Protected area coverage (%): 99.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Andringitra National Park is located 35 km south of Ambalavao. This mountainous, high-altitude massif comprises a series of rocky domes and a chain of outcrops with narrow crests which form numerous pinnacles, divided by deep, narrow valleys and gorges. The climate is hot and humid in the eastern low-altitude part, and temperate and humid in the higher western part. A highly developed hydrographic system drains the massif: the main rivers are the Zomandao, Menarahaka, Iatara and Rienana. Park vegetation includes low-altitude, dense, humid evergreen forest (with Sloanea as an emergent), mid-altitude, dense, humid evergreen forest (characterized by trees of Podocarpus, Weinmannia, screw-pines Pandanus, tree-ferns Cyathea, as well as Compositae in the higher part, and Vaccinium in the lower parts), and dense sclerophyllous montane forest characterized by trees of Podocarpus, Araliaceae, Compositae, Erythroxylaceae and Verbenaceae. On the bare, open rock of the summits, the vegetation includes species of Philippia, Aloe, Pachypodium, Liliaceae and Kalanchoe, with a high level of local endemicity. There are some areas of savanna around the two highest summits, Pic Boby and Pic Bory, which are rich in terrestrial orchids, including Cynorkis, Habenaria and Disa. Threats include itinerant slash-and-burn cultivation (particularly of forest at low altitudes), cattle-grazing, uncontrolled bush-fires and hunting.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The entire known population of Boophis laurenti occurs within this site. Mantidactylus madecassus meets A1a and an additional three amphibians, 38 birds, one fish, seven mammmals, three plants and seven reptiles trigger legacy KBA criteria and are in need of reassessment.
Manageability of the site: Site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2001 and confirmed as an AZE during the 2015-2018 AZE project. This site corresponds to a National Park.
Delineation rationale: Delineation follows Andringitra National Park (WDPAID: 2308)
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 60 | |
| Shrubland | 31 | |
| Savanna | 9 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Problematic species/diseases of unknown origin | Named species | Unknown |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |