Crêtes du Nord Forest Reserve (7071)
Mayotte (to France), Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Réserve forestière des crêtes du nord
Central coordinates: Latitude: -12.7150, Longitude: 45.0790
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 180 to 496
Area of KBA (km2): 7.2811
Protected area coverage (%): 25.94
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site comprises the massif in the north-west of Mayotte, dominated by the peak of Hachiroungou (496 m). Ridges extend north, east and south, forming the watershed of the Dzoumonyé catchment. This area includes the upper slopes (over 180 m above sea-level) of Hachiroungou, the southern and eastern ridge, and the valley between these. The northern ridge (towards Mlima Dziani Bolé, 472 m) is excluded as it is deforested. The nearest towns are Dzoumonyé to the east and Acoua and Mtsamboro to the west. The slopes of Hachiroungou rise steeply to a triangular summit, and the slopes of the still partly forested Mapouéra valley are also fairly steep and dissected with streams. Hachiroungou supports a small expanse of mixed montane forest surrounded by cultivation and padza.
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. 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.
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 2 for key species. The entire community of forest-living birds of Mayotte (around 14 species) is found at this site. Populations are likely to be small, in line with the area of forest remaining. Most species are common and not restricted to forest, although Dicrurus waldenii is found only in forest and forest-edge and the two pigeons are forest-dependent. Additional species occur in the cultivated land and villages around the forested area. Non-bird biodiversity: Reptiles: Phelsuma geckos P. robertmertensii, P. nigristriata and P. pasteuri. No other data specific to this site.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting | water management
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Around 400 ha of the massif is protected in the Réserve Forestière de Dzoumonyé. However, the east-facing slopes and most of the partly-forested Mapouéra valley are excluded from the reserve. Known threats are typical of forests on Mayotte, especially deforestation and hunting of pigeons.
Additional information
References: Louette (1988a,c, 1999), Louette et al. (1993), Stevens and Louette (1999).