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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ludwig's Bustard Neotis ludwigii | EN | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Karoo Bustard Heterotetrax vigorsii | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea | VU | winter (-) | 2,131–5,362 birds | A4i |
| Karoo Lark Calendulauda albescens | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Namaqua Warbler Phragmacia substriata | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Layard's Warbler Curruca layardi | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Karoo Chat Emarginata schlegelii | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Sickle-winged Chat Emarginata sinuata | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Tractrac Chat Emarginata tractrac | LC | resident (1998) | present | A3 |
| Black-headed Canary Serinus alario | 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 | moderate | high | low |
| 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 |
| Marine Neritic | good (>90%) | moderate (70–90%) | moderate |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Energy production and mining | 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 |
| Transportation and service corridors | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Natural system modifications | 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 |
| Climate change and severe weather | likely in long term (>4 years) | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Biological resource use | 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 |
| Little/none of area covered (<10%) | A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species | Some limited conservation initiatives are in place | low |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | major (>10) | |
| Shrubland | major (>10) | Shrubland - succulent Karroo |
| Marine Intertidal | minor (<10) | |
| Wetlands (inland) | minor (<10) | Permanent herbaceous swamps and bogs; Rivers & streams |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| nature conservation and research | 60 |
| urban/industrial/transport | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Olifants river estuary (South Africa). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/olifants-river-estuary-iba-south-africa on 23/12/2024.