ZA093
Wilderness - Sedgefield Lakes Complex


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
Cape Spurfowl Pternistis capensis LC resident (1998) present A3
Southern Pochard Netta erythrophthalma LC non-breeding (-) 825–2,795 birds A4i
Cape Shoveler Spatula smithii LC non-breeding (-) 767–2,700 birds A4i
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus LC non-breeding (-) 163–260 birds A4i
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis LC non-breeding (-) 382–1,738 birds A4i
Red-knobbed Coot Fulica cristata LC non-breeding (-) 5,280–18,698 birds A4i
Knysna Turaco Tauraco corythaix LC resident (1998) present A2
Knysna Woodpecker Campethera notata NT resident (1998) present A2
Victorin's Warbler Cryptillas victorini LC resident (1998) present A3
Cape Bulbul Pycnonotus capensis LC resident (1998) present A3
Chorister Robin-chat Cossypha dichroa LC resident (1998) present A2
Cape Sugarbird Promerops cafer LC resident (1998) present A3
Orange-breasted Sunbird Anthobaphes violacea LC resident (1998) present A3
Forest Canary Crithagra scotops LC resident (1998) present A2
A4iii Species group - waterbirds n/a non-breeding (-) min 20,000 birds A4iii

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
no habitat medium

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

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Climate change and severe weather happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Residential and commercial development happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) slow decline (1–10% 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 some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Agricultural expansion and intensification 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
Biological resource use 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
Transportation and service corridors happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) 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

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
2004 Cape Floral Region Protected Areas World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) (UA) 44

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Marine Coastal/Supratidal major (>10)
Forest - Montane forest - mixed
Marine Intertidal -
Marine Neritic -
Shrubland - Shrubland - Cape (fynbos)

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research 18
water management 15
other -
tourism/recreation -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wilderness - Sedgefield Lakes Complex (South Africa). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wilderness--sedgefield-lakes-complex-iba-south-africa on 23/12/2024.