Montagne Glacis - When She Comes (6788)
Seychelles, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2014

National site name: Montagne Glacis - When She Comes

Central coordinates: Latitude: -4.5770, Longitude: 55.4460

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 250 to 458

Area of KBA (km²): 1.40145

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: This IBA is situated on slopes of the highest mountain of the northern cape of Mahé. A short, dense shrub woodland vegetation is dominated by introduced species, mainly Tabebuia pallida, Cinnamomum verum and Chrysobalanus icaco. Scattered taller trees include Paraserianthes falcataria, Sandoricum indicum and Pterocarpus indicus, while some endemic species such as Deckenia nobilis, Phoenicophorium borsigianum and Paragenipa wrightii are also found. There are some rocky areas with large boulders and caves. The woodland was exploited for the cinnamon industry, firewood and timber until 20–30 years ago. Only some selective cutting now occurs.

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) KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Hotspot (2014). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat status follow the 2013 IUCN Red List. The following KBA trigger species occur at this site but are not yet available in WBDB, because they have not yet been globally Red-List-assessed (most of these taxa are nevertheless listed as valid in Catalogue of Life or Tropicos); many of these species may prove to be globally threatened, or are already listed as regionally or nationally threatened, and nearly all of the following species are also likely to be endemic to the Hotspot, often with very restricted known ranges, thus also triggering the Irreplaceability 1 KBA criterion: PLANTAE: Ludia mauritiana var. sechellensis; Tarenna sechellensis.

Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 2 for key species. The site holds the largest colony of Collocalia elaphra known in Seychelles, comprising 600–800 pairs (March 1997 estimate). The colony is located on the roof of a large cave of difficult access, at c.10 m from the ground, and consists of a single mass of nests between 6–8 m in length. A few pairs of Falco araea are also present, as well as the three more common endemics Alectroenas pulcherrima, Hypsipetes crassirostris and Nectarinia dussumieri. Streptopelia picturata picturata also occurs, as well as Phaethon lepturus and Gygis alba which nest at low densities in trees and rocks. Non-bird biodiversity: Small numbers of endemic reptiles and amphibians are present.

Habitats

Land use: not utilised

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Regular monitoring of the Collocalia elaphra colony is conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Transport. Introduced predators (such as Rattus spp. and Tyto alba) have been implicated as predators of swiftlet colonies elsewhere. These may here predate Collocalia elaphra and could be a threat. However, the colony’s size and location, high and deep in the cave, appears to provide good protection, including from human disturbance. Urbanization in the La Gogue area and fire are also potential threats.

Additional information