ZA086
Boland Mountains


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 Current IUCN Red List Category Season Year(s) Population estimate at site IBA criteria met
Cape Francolin Pternistis capensis LC resident 1998 present A3
Blue Crane Anthropoides paradiseus VU resident - present A1
Black Harrier Circus maurus EN resident - present A1
Ground Woodpecker Geocolaptes olivaceus NT resident - present A1
Cape Rockjumper Chaetops frenatus NT resident 1998 present A1, A2, A3
Victorin's Warbler Cryptillas victorini LC resident 1998 present A2, A3
Cape Bulbul Pycnonotus capensis LC resident 1998 present A3
Cape Sugarbird Promerops cafer LC resident 1998 present A2, A3
Orange-breasted Sunbird Anthobaphes violacea LC resident 1998 present A2, A3
Protea Canary Crithagra leucoptera NT resident 1998 present A1, A2, A3
Cape Siskin Crithagra totta LC resident 1998 present A1, A2, A3

The current IUCN Red List category 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 not assessed high high
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
no unset -

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat Habitat detail Reference area (ha) Actual area (ha) Habitat quantity (% remaining) Habitat quality (carrying capacity) Result
Shrubland Shrubland - Cape (fynbos) 0 0 moderate (70-90%) moderate (70-90%) unfavourable

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 happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Agricultural expansion and intensification wood and pulp plantations (includes afforestation) - agro-industry plantations happening now some of area/population (10-49%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Biological resource use gathering terrestrial plants - unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) slow but significant deterioration high
Biological resource use hunting & collecting terrestrial animals - intentional use (species being assessed is the target) happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Climate change and severe weather habitat shifting and alteration likely in short term (within 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Energy production and mining renewable energy likely in short term (within 4 years) small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Human intrusions and disturbance recreational activities happening now some of area/population (10-49%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
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
Invasive and other problematic species and genes problematic native species/diseases - named species happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Natural system modifications dams & water management/use - large dams happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Natural system modifications fire & fire suppression - increase in fire frequency/intensity happening now majority/most of area/population (50-90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Pollution agricultural & forestry effluents - herbicides and pesticides happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) no or imperceptible deterioration low
Pollution garbage & solid waste 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%) slow but significant deterioration low
Residential and commercial development tourism and recreation areas happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Transportation and service corridors roads and railroads happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Transportation and service corridors utility & service lines happening now some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium

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 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)
Winterhoek Mountain Catchment Area Mountain Catchment Area 51,325 protected area is adjacent to site 0
Voëlvlei Provincial Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 866 protected area contained by site 0
Villiersdorp Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 527 protected area contained by site 0
Steenbras Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 793,816 protected area is adjacent to site 0
Ruvami Private Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 917 protected area contained by site 0
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 1,684 protected area overlaps with site 0
Lourens River Protected Natural Environment Protected Environment 4,412 protected area is adjacent to site 0
Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve 108,288 protected area overlaps with site 103,629
Kogelberg Provincial Nature Reserve 19,891 protected area contained by site 14,006
Klein Houwhoek Private Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 1,155 protected area contained by site 0
Hottentotsholland Nature Reserve Forest Nature Reserve 26,050 protected area overlaps with site 0
Hottentots-Holland Mountain Catchment Area Mountain Catchment Area 24,401 protected area overlaps with site 0
Hottentots-holland Provincial Nature Reserve 27,077 protected area contained by site 24,569
Hawequas Mountain Catchment Area Mountain Catchment Area 51,604 protected area overlaps with site 64,634
Elandsberg Private Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 3,169 protected area is adjacent to site 0
De Rust Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 1,713 protected area contained by site 0
Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve 322,028 protected area overlaps with site 0
Cape Floral Region Protected Areas World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) 1,094,742 protected area overlaps with site 105,348
Brodie Link Provincial Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 92 protected area is adjacent to site 0
Assegaaibos Provincial Nature Reserve Nature Reserve 197 protected area is adjacent to site 0

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Forest Montane forest - mixed -
Shrubland Shrubland - Cape (fynbos) -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

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


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Boland Mountains. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/boland-mountains-iba-south-africa on 24/09/2023.