Séri (6616)
Mali, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Séri
Central coordinates: Latitude: 14.8333, Longitude: -4.6667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 263 to 263
Area of KBA (km2): 418.163718
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Séri is an extensive flood-plain complex on the western bank of the Diaka river, in the western central part of the Inner Delta of the Niger, immediately west of the town of Toguéré-Koumbé. It is located about 65 km north-east of the town of Mopti and some 50 km south-west of Lac Oualado Débo (site ML009). In years of good rainfall the area is flooded between August and January and begins to dry out thereafter.
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.
Additional biodiversity: See Box for key species. In January 1995 a total of 16,546 waterbirds was counted on approximately 25% of the site. Non-bird biodiversity: The mammal Trichechus senegalensis (VU) has been reported to occur.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 1 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 98 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: This site was designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1987. Several villages around the edge of the site depend on the wetlands for fishing and rice production. Although currently not a major threat, these activities could increase to become so, either through increased human population or through a reduction in size of the wetland. The impact of proposed dams and water diversion projects within the catchment area is also a significant potential threat.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Dodman and Taylor (1995), Jones (1993).