Mlima Combani and Mlima Mtsapéré (7072)
Mayotte (to France), Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: B2

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Mlima Combani and Mlima Mtsapéré

Central coordinates: Latitude: -12.7833, Longitude: 45.1667

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 200 to 572

Area of KBA (km²): 29.86052

Protected area coverage (%): 37.37

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site is made up of the mountain massif in the north-centre of Mayotte, dominated by two peaks—Mtsapéré (also called Majimbini, 572 m) and Combani (477 m)—connected by a ridge that does not drop below 320 m. The terrain is mainly undulating, although steep slopes occur around Mtsapéré. The site includes most of the land above 200 m, although cultivation that extends higher than this (especially around the towns of Vahibéni and Combani) is excluded. The nearest towns are Mamoudzou to the east and Combani to the west; this site contains the catchment for both. The area contains the largest expanse of forest on Mayotte. Vehicle tracks lead almost to the tops of both mountains, and an antenna is sited near the top of Mtsapéré.

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.

Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 2 for key species. The site contains the full community of forest-living birds (around 14 species) of Mayotte. Most are common and are not restricted to forest, but the two pigeons are forest-dependent. By virtue of its large extent, this site may be the most important for Dicrurus waldenii. 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. Butterflies: Charaxes saperanus, Culapa mayottensis, Neptis mayottensis (Mayotte-endemics). No other data specific to this site.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | hunting | water management

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: About half of the area (1,615 ha) is protected in the Réserves Forestières de Combani (290 ha) and Majimbini (1,325 ha). Most of the Koualé catchment, which forms the eastern part of Mlima Combani, is unprotected. Known threats are typical of forests on Mayotte, especially deforestation and hunting of pigeons.

Additional information