ZA041
Phongolo Nature Reserve


IBA Justification

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
Rudd's Apalis Apalis ruddi LC resident (1998) present A2
Neergaard's Sunbird Cinnyris neergaardi NT resident (1998) present A1, A2
Pink-throated Twinspot Hypargos margaritatus LC resident (1998) present A2
Lemon-breasted Canary Crithagra citrinipectus LC resident (1998) present A2

IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 1998. The most recent assessment (2013) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2013 poor high high
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes habitat medium

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Species Actual vs Reference (units) % remaining Result
Marabou Stork Leptoptilos crumenifer 8 / 8 (pairs) 100 good
White-backed Vulture Gyps africanus 23 / 10 (pairs) 100 good
Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos 4 / 2 (pairs) 100 good

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat Quantity (% remaining) Quality (% carrying capacity) Result
Savanna moderate (70–90%) moderate (70–90%) poor

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Human intrusions and disturbance happe­ning now whole of popul­ation/area (>90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) high
Biological resource use happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) high
Pollution happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) high
Climate change and severe weather likely in long term (>4 years) whole of popul­ation/area (>90%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Agricultural expansion and intensification happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) no or slight decline (<1% over 3 gener­ations) low
Natural system modifications happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) no or slight decline (<1% over 3 gener­ations) low
Transportation and service corridors happe­ning now few indivi­duals/small area (<10%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning Action Result
Whole area (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation 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

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
1979 Pongolapoort Dam Nature Reserve (IV) 100

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Forest - Woodland - riparian
Savanna -
Wetlands (inland) - Ephemeral pools and wetlands

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research 100
water management 80
agriculture -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Phongolo Nature Reserve (South Africa). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/phongolo-nature-reserve-iba-south-africa on 23/12/2024.