Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
The Dilia or Dillia de Lagané is a linear depression stretching some 200 km north-west from Nguigmi, at the edge of the former extent of Lake Chad, to the southern end of the Termit Massif. The depression is probably a graben which historically carried water to Lake Chad during periods when the climate was wetter. The Dilia lies in a very sparsely populated area of low rainfall (annual average less than 200 mm for the period 1961–1990). Vegetation is sparse; much of the Dilia de Lagané lies in the northern Sahelian semi-desert grassland and shrubland zone, while the southern quarter falls within the Sahelian
Acacia wooded grassland and deciduous woodland zone. Land-use is probably restricted to nomadic and/or transhumance livestock-rearing.
See Box and Table 2 for key species. What information there is dates from 1975 when
Neotis nuba was found breeding in August (three nests with eggs).
Ardeotis arabs was also recorded on numerous occasions and
Circus macrourus was seen once. Of the Sahel biome species,
Caprimulgus eximius has been reported only from this site. In addition, three Sahara–Sindian biome and one Sudan–Guinea Savanna biome species also occur (see Table 2).
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
With the legal resumption of hunting in Niger in 1996 it is likely that bustards are being targeted; even before then foreign officials were reported to have visited the country for the express purpose of hunting bustards, among other target species.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Dilia de Lagané (Niger). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dilia-de-lagané-iba-niger on 23/11/2024.
