The site was identified as important in 1999 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (1999).
IBA conservation assessment | |||
---|---|---|---|
Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
2022 | very unfavourable | high | medium |
Was the whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
no | habitat | good |
State (condition of the trigger species' habitats) | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Habitat | Habitat detail | Reference area (ha) | Actual area (ha) | Habitat quantity (% remaining) | Habitat quality (carrying capacity) | Result |
Artificial/Terrestrial | Forestry & agro-industrial plantations | 0 | 0 | poor (40-69%) | poor (40-69%) | very unfavourable |
Forest | Montane forest - mixed | 0 | 0 | good (> 90%) | good (> 90%) | favourable |
Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
Agricultural expansion and intensification | annual & perennial non-timber crops - agro-industry farming | past (and unlikely to return) and no longer limiting | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Agricultural expansion and intensification | annual & perennial non-timber crops - shifting agriculture | past (and unlikely to return) and no longer limiting | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Agricultural expansion and intensification | annual & perennial non-timber crops - small-holder farming | happening now | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Agricultural expansion and intensification | livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | happening now | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Biological resource use | gathering terrestrial plants - persecution/control | happening now | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Climate change and severe weather | drought | likely in short term (within 4 years) | whole area/population (>90%) | moderate to rapid deterioration | high |
Energy production and mining | mining and quarrying | happening now | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Energy production and mining | oil and gas drilling | past (and unlikely to return) and no longer limiting | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Energy production and mining | renewable energy | past (and unlikely to return) and no longer limiting | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Geological events | avalanches/landslides | likely in long term (beyond 4 years) | some of area/population (10-49%) | slow but significant deterioration | medium |
Human intrusions and disturbance | recreational activities | happening now | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Human intrusions and disturbance | work and other activities | happening now | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Invasive and other problematic species and genes | invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - unspecified species | happening now | some of area/population (10-49%) | slow but significant deterioration | medium |
Natural system modifications | dams & water management/use - abstraction of surface water (unknown use) | happening now | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Natural system modifications | fire & fire suppression - increase in fire frequency/intensity | past (and unlikely to return) and no longer limiting | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Pollution | excess energy - noise pollution | happening now | some of area/population (10-49%) | slow but significant deterioration | medium |
Pollution | garbage & solid waste | happening now | some of area/population (10-49%) | moderate to rapid deterioration | high |
Residential and commercial development | commercial and industrial development | happening now | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Residential and commercial development | housing and urban areas | happening now | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Residential and commercial development | tourism and recreation areas | happening now | some of area/population (10-49%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Transportation and service corridors | roads and railroads | happening now | small area/few individuals (<10%) | no or imperceptible deterioration | low |
Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
---|---|---|---|
Protected-area designation | Management planning | Other conservation action | Result |
Most of site (50-90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) | A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity | medium |
Protected area (PA) | PA designation | PA area (ha) | Relationship of PA with IBA | Overlap of PA with IBA (ha) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Nyamweru | Forest Reserve | 803 | protected area overlaps with site | 0 |
Kikuyu Escarpment | Forest Reserve | 37,619 | protected area overlaps with site | 37,600 |
Aberdare | Forest Reserve | 103,316 | protected area is adjacent to site | 0 |
The Local Conservation Groups listed below are working to support conservation at this IBA.
Name | Year formed |
---|---|
Kijabe Environmental Volunteers Organisation | 1994 |
Habitat (IUCN level 1) | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
---|---|---|
Forest | Montane forest - mixed | - |
Artificial/Terrestrial | Forestry & agro-industrial plantations | - |
Savanna | Bamboo - Montane | - |
Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
---|---|
agriculture | - |
forestry | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kikuyu Escarpment forest. Downloaded from
http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kikuyu-escarpment-forest-iba-kenya on 25/09/2023.