Current view: Text account
Site description (2001 baseline):
Site location and context
This site lies c.10 km from Sakaraha and 130 km from Toliara, and consists of the Zombitse, Vohibasia and Isoky-Vohimena Forests, which cover a gently undulating terrain of dome-shaped sandstone hills. The Isalo massif lies to the east, and a calcareous plateau (820 m high) to the west—both are oriented north–south. The soil is sandy. The Fiherenana and Teheza rivers, tributaries of the Onilahy, rise within the Zombitse and Vohibasia Forests. The vegetation consists of dense deciduous forest and xerophilous bushland, dominated by
Securinega,
Malleastrum,
Carissa and
Teclea, with some emergents, such as
Commiphora and
Brachylaena. The xerophilous bushland is characterized by species of
Euphorbia,
Adansonia and
Dialium.
See Box and Tables 2 and 3 for key species. Ninety species are known from this site, of which 38 are endemic to Madagascar. One of the endemic species,
Phyllastrephus apperti, is known only from the forests of Zombitse and Analavelona (IBA MG066). Two species,
Thamnornis chloropetoides and
Nesillas lantzii, are characteristic of spiny forest.
Monticola bensoni is recorded here seasonally.
Non-bird biodiversity: Lemurs: Mirza coquereli (VU), Phaner furcifer pallescens (VU), Lemur catta (VU), Propithecus verreauxi verreauxi (VU). Carnivore: Cryptoprocta ferox (VU). Bats: Scotophilus robustus (nt), Mormopterus jugularis (VU). Reptile: Phelsuma standingi (VU).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The park is a biological reservoir of primary importance, due to its location straddling the western and southern domains of Madagascar. Route Nationale 7 runs through Zombitse Forest. The main threats include exploitation of forest species, cattle-grazing, vegetation clearance and deforestation for maize cultivation or production of charcoal, as well as uncontrolled bush-fires.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park and extension (Madagascar). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/zombitse-vohibasia-national-park-and-extension-iba-madagascar on 22/11/2024.
