Tchérassa reservoir (6727)
Niger, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Tchérassa reservoir

Central coordinates: Latitude: 13.8500, Longitude: 5.3000

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 270 to 270

Area of KBA (km²): 0.9203

KBA classification: Regional

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Tchérassa reservoir, also known as Tyéra(s)sa, is a permanent reservoir which takes its name from the nearby village, located 6 km north-east of the town of Birni N’Konni in southern Niger. It is filled by surface run-off and is used as a source of water for irrigation during the dry season. Average annual rainfall during the period 1961–1990 in the Birni N’Konni area was approximately 450 mm. However, rainfall totals vary considerably from year to year, which affects the size of the wetland (65–125 ha at the times of the waterbird censuses). The water of the wetland is brackish, alkaline and low in nutrients.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.

Additional biodiversity: See Box for key species. The only thorough count of the Bubulcus ibis roost, which lies immediately downstream of the dam in a stand of Acacia nilotica, dates from 1994. According to local inhabitants, the roost had then been in use for a number of years. The total number of waterbirds counted in 1994 was 18,025. Other significant observations, in addition to those listed below, include 2,100 Dendrocygna viduata in January 1995. Two Circus macrourus were reported in February 1998. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | forestry | water management

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The reservoir is owned by government, but may be used by the local population under supervision. The local fishery produces an annual catch estimated at 25–30 tonnes; fish species include Clarias anguillaris, Oreochromis niloticus, Tilapia zillii, Protopterus annectens, Bagrus bayad, Auchenoglanis spp. and Schilbe mystus. Grazing and watering of livestock are also important, as are market gardening, fruit growing and the cultivation of sugar-cane. Given the lack of woodland in the Birni N’Konni area, cutting of the Acacia nilotica riparian woodland, or at least increased collection of firewood, seems a real possibility. The DDE would like to remove the dead trees from the reservoir itself to allow the easier movement of boats and the use of certain fishing equipment. Whether such removal would have any effect on the birds is unclear. The DDE would also like to increase fish production through the introduction of Lates niloticus and Heterotis sp. and wishes to combat invasion of the edges of the reservoir by sedges Cyperus spp.

Additional information