Assop Falls and hills (6756)
Nigeria, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Assop Falls and hills
Central coordinates: Latitude: 9.5333, Longitude: 8.6167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 600 to 1100
Area of KBA (km2): 29.78226
Protected area coverage (%): 78.13
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is an area of Guinea Savanna on the slopes and top of a mid-altitude ridge of the Jos Plateau, beside the Jos–Kagoro road, about 70 km from Jos. The vegetation comprises gallery forests sorrounded by grasslands. The Assop river, which feeds the picturesque rapids and falls, drains part of the Jos Plateau.
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 3 for key species. Over 165 birds have been recorded. In addition, the recently described Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis and its brood-parasite Vidua maryae may occur. Nationally uncommon species include Muscicapa gambagae, apparently a common breeder, as well as Hieraaetus pennatus, Agapornis pullaria, Lybius bidentatus, Cossypha polioptera and Vidua wilsoni. Two species of the Guinea–Congo Forests biome (A05) have also been recorded (see Table 3). Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | tourism/recreation | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 83 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The waterfall and its immediate environs are legally protected and managed by Plateau State Tourism Corporation. The river also provides the domestic water-supply for villagers in the surrounding area. Wood-cutting and livestock-grazing are major threats to the catchment. The area immediately behind the waterfall is being farmed.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Elgood et al. (1994).