Mare de Gossi (6613)
Mali, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Mare de Gossi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 15.7833, Longitude: -1.3167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 290 to 290
Area of KBA (km2): 33.78456
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Mare de Gossi is a semi-permanent wetland in central Mali, to the east of the Inner Delta of the Niger, between the towns of Douentza and Gao, some 3 km south-west of the town of Gossi. It is situated within the rocky Gourma plain, along the valley of a seasonal watercourse, and is isolated from the drainage system of the Niger river.
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 for key species. In addition, sixty Marmaronetta angustirostris were recorded at this site in 1972, but this is thought unlikely to have been anything other than an exceptional occurrence. Aerial surveys in January 1984 recorded a total of 25,800 wildfowl (Anatidae). Non-bird biodiversity: The site is adjacent to the Douentza Elephant Reserve and is used by Loxodonta africana (EN) during the dry season.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No recent information.
Additional information
References: Roux and Jarry (1984).