Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The site comprises the massif in the north-west of Mayotte, dominated by the peak of Hachiroungou (496 m). Ridges extend north, east and south, forming the watershed of the Dzoumonyé catchment. This area includes the upper slopes (over 180 m above sea-level) of Hachiroungou, the southern and eastern ridge, and the valley between these. The northern ridge (towards Mlima Dziani Bolé, 472 m) is excluded as it is deforested. The nearest towns are Dzoumonyé to the east and Acoua and Mtsamboro to the west. The slopes of Hachiroungou rise steeply to a triangular summit, and the slopes of the still partly forested Mapouéra valley are also fairly steep and dissected with streams. Hachiroungou supports a small expanse of mixed montane forest surrounded by cultivation and padza.
See Box and Table 2 for key species. The entire community of forest-living birds of Mayotte (around 14 species) is found at this site. Populations are likely to be small, in line with the area of forest remaining. Most species are common and not restricted to forest, although
Dicrurus waldenii is found only in forest and forest-edge and the two pigeons are forest-dependent. 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. No other data specific to this site.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Around 400 ha of the massif is protected in the Réserve Forestière de Dzoumonyé. However, the east-facing slopes and most of the partly-forested Mapouéra valley are excluded from the reserve. Known threats are typical of forests on Mayotte, especially deforestation and hunting of pigeons.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Crêtes du Nord Forest Reserve (Mayotte (to France)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/crêtes-du-nord-forest-reserve-iba-mayotte-(to-france) on 27/12/2024.
