Dilia de Lagané (6732)
Niger, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Dilia de Lagané
Central coordinates: Latitude: 15.1667, Longitude: 12.1667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 300 to 380
Area of KBA (km2): 6677.13306
Protected area coverage (%): 31.23
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Dilia or Dillia de Lagané is a linear depression stretching some 200 km north-west from Nguigmi, at the edge of the former extent of Lake Chad, to the southern end of the Termit Massif. The depression is probably a graben which historically carried water to Lake Chad during periods when the climate was wetter. The Dilia lies in a very sparsely populated area of low rainfall (annual average less than 200 mm for the period 1961–1990). Vegetation is sparse; much of the Dilia de Lagané lies in the northern Sahelian semi-desert grassland and shrubland zone, while the southern quarter falls within the Sahelian Acacia wooded grassland and deciduous woodland zone. Land-use is probably restricted to nomadic and/or transhumance livestock-rearing.
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 Table 2 for key species. What information there is dates from 1975 when Neotis nuba was found breeding in August (three nests with eggs). Ardeotis arabs was also recorded on numerous occasions and Circus macrourus was seen once. Of the Sahel biome species, Caprimulgus eximius has been reported only from this site. In addition, three Sahara–Sindian biome and one Sudan–Guinea Savanna biome species also occur (see Table 2). Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 53 | |
| Grassland | 46 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: With the legal resumption of hunting in Niger in 1996 it is likely that bustards are being targeted; even before then foreign officials were reported to have visited the country for the express purpose of hunting bustards, among other target species.
Additional information
References: Giraudoux et al. (1988).