Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 1998 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corncrake Crex crex | LC | winter (-) | present | A1 |
| Black Stork Ciconia nigra | LC | non-breeding (-) | 40–60 birds | A4i |
| Black Stork Ciconia nigra | LC | breeding (-) | 10–20 pairs | A4i |
| Cape Vulture Gyps coprotheres | VU | non-breeding (-) | present | A1 |
| Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni | LC | winter (-) | present | A1 |
| Brown-headed Parrot Poicephalus cryptoxanthus | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Gorgeous Bushshrike Telophorus viridis | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Black-bellied Starling Notopholia corusca | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Pink-throated Twinspot Hypargos margaritatus | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Lemon-breasted Canary Crithagra citrinipectus | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 1998. The most recent assessment (2014) is shown below.
| IBA conservation assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2014 | very poor | high | high |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | habitat | medium | |
| State (condition of the trigger species' habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Quantity (% remaining) | Quality (% carrying capacity) | Result |
| Wetlands (inland) | moderate (70–90%) | poor (40–69%) | very poor |
| Forest | good (>90%) | good (>90%) | good |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Biological resource use | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Natural system modifications | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Climate change and severe weather | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Transportation and service corridors | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Residential and commercial development | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Energy production and mining | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Invasive and other problematic species and genes | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Pollution | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Most of area (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 |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Kruger to Canyons | UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (UA) | 100 |
| 2009 | Vhembe Biosphere Reserve | UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (UA) | 20 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | - | Lowland forest - riparian; Woodland - mixed |
| Wetlands (inland) | - | Rivers & streams |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| nature conservation and research | 100 |
| water management | 10 |
| tourism/recreation | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kruger National Park and adjacent areas (South Africa). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kruger-national-park-and-adjacent-areas-iba-south-africa on 23/12/2024.