ZA056
Umgeni Vlei Nature Reserve


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 1998 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):
Species Red List Category Season Year(s) Population estimate at site IBA criteria met
Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus VU resident - 10 breeding pairs A1
Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus VU resident - 1 breeding pairs A1
Ground Woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus NT resident - present A1
Drakensberg Rockjumper Chaetops aurantius NT resident 1998 present A1
Buff-streaked Chat Campicoloides bifasciatus LC resident 1998 present A1
Yellow-breasted Pipit Hemimacronyx chloris VU resident 1998 present A1

The current IUCN Red List category (shown above) may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (1998).


IBA Conservation

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2013 favourable high high
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes habitat medium

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Scientific name Common name Reference population Actual population Units % of population remaining Result
Bugeranus carunculatus Wattled Crane 10 5 breeding pairs 50 unfavourable
Anthropoides paradiseus Blue Crane 2 2 breeding pairs 100 favourable
Geocolaptes olivaceus Ground Woodpecker 10 10 breeding pairs 100 not assessed
Chaetops aurantius Drakensberg Rockjumper 30 30 individuals 100 not assessed
Campicoloides bifasciatus Buff-streaked Chat 20 20 breeding pairs 100 not assessed
Hemimacronyx chloris Yellow-breasted Pipit 5 5 breeding pairs 100 not assessed

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat Habitat detail Reference area (ha) Actual area (ha) Habitat quantity (% remaining) Habitat quality (carrying capacity) Result
Grassland 0 0 good (> 90%) good (> 90%) favourable
Wetlands (inland) Montane bogs, swamps and mires 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 livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - nomadic grazing happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Biological resource use hunting & collecting terrestrial animals - intentional use (species being assessed is the target) likely in long term (beyond 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Climate change and severe weather drought likely in long term (beyond 4 years) whole area/population (>90%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Climate change and severe weather storms and floods likely in long term (beyond 4 years) whole area/population (>90%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Invasive and other problematic species and genes invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - named species happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Natural system modifications fire & fire suppression - increase in fire frequency/intensity happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation Management planning Other conservation action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species The conservation measures needed for the site are being comprehensively and effectively implemented high
For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

IBA Protection

Protected area (PA) PA designation PA area (ha) Relationship of PA with IBA Overlap of PA with IBA (ha)
Umngeni Plateau Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 1,368 protected area is adjacent to site 0
Umgeni Vlei Nature Reserve Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 959 protected area overlaps with site 0
Umgeni Vlei Provincial Nature Reserve 957 protected area overlaps with site 957

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Woodland - mixed -
Grassland Grassland - edaphic, wet -
Wetlands (inland) Montane bogs, swamps and mires -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
nature conservation and research -
water management -
tourism/recreation -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Umgeni Vlei Nature Reserve. Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/umgeni-vlei-nature-reserve-iba-south-africa on 19/03/2024.