Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
This site is a highly indented mountainous massif, composed of migmatite, quartzite and granite, and with steep slopes. Its north-eastern part, which is steeper, is part of the crystalline edge of the Andapa basin. Annual rainfall can exceed 3,000 mm at the higher altitudes. The reserve is the most important watershed for the rivers flowing to the north and the south of the Andapa basin to join the rivers flowing to the east. The main rivers are the Andramonta in the north, the Marolakana in the centre, and the Ankaibe and Manandriana in the south-east. Three types of vegetation can be found: low-altitude, dense, humid evergreen forest (up to 900 m); mid-altitude, dense, humid evergreen forest (900–1,100 m); and dense montane forest (above 1,100 m). Notable forest trees include
Dalbergia,
Diospyros,
Weinmannia and
Eugenia.
See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. The site holds most of the species that are characteristic of the eastern forest.
Non-bird biodiversity: Lemurs: Allocebus trichotis (CR), Eulemur rubriventer (VU), Indri indri (EN), Propithecus diadema candidus (EN), Daubentonia madagascariensis (EN). Carnivores: Cryptoprocta ferox (VU), Fossa fossana (VU).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The reserve is a hydrological reservoir for the Andapa basin, one of the main rice-growing areas in Madagascar. The reserve is also important for ecotourism. Threats to the site include illegal exploitation of wood, hunting, collection of the bark of some tree species to flavour alcoholic beverages, and gem-mining.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: South Anjanaharibe Special Reserve and extension (Madagascar). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/south-anjanaharibe-special-reserve-and-extension-iba-madagascar on 23/11/2024.
