Jimbe Drainage (7207)
Zambia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Jimbe Drainage
Central coordinates: Latitude: -10.9500, Longitude: 24.0500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1250 to 1250
Area of KBA (km2): 282.62826
Protected area coverage (%): 5.55
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area lies at the northernmost tip of the North Western Province, extending southwards and eastwards from the borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola (in the north and west) towards Muhonge Local Forest (No. 73). Miombo dominates the vegetation, but there are a few patches of grassland and, most importantly, a network of streams that are lined with moist evergreen forest.
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. The area holds many species that are endemic to the Guinea–Congo Forests biome. Those with the most restricted ranges in Zambia include Sarothrura pulchra, Alcedo leucogaster, Campethera caroli, Bias flammulatus and Platysteira castanea. Ploceus superciliosus probably breeds in areas where forest and grassland meet and Ptyrticus turdinus would appear to be sparse. A wide range of Zambezian biome endemics also occur. One species of the Afrotropical Highlands biome is present: Bradypterus alfredi. Non-bird biodiversity: These are among the most notable forests in Zambia, as they hold many taxa typical of the Guinea–Congo Forests biome. Much of the fauna has a highly restricted distribution in Zambia. Snakes include Philothamnus carinatus, Causus lichtensteinii and Thelotornis kirtlandii. Several species of dragonfly are endemic to the area.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: About 90% of the site is unprotected but, due to its proximity to Angola, it is much more sparsely populated than surrounding areas, where many forests have been cleared for small-scale farming. The broad mushitus found at headwaters in this region probably represented the areas of greatest biodiversity, yet these are particularly favoured for cultivation and virtually none remain. Within the site, much of the gallery forest is presently undisturbed, but action is urgently required to protect it.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing |