Sites and Habitats
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs)
The IBA concept is one of bird conservationโs cornerstones and identifies all priority sites for conserving the world’s birds and other wildlife populations. There are over 13,000 such sites globally, and Zambia is home to 42. Over the years, the global IBA network has steadily been absorbed into the framework of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), with all existing IBAs automatically qualifying as KBAs (referred to as Legacy KBAs).
Habitat Conservation and Restoration
Each habitat type plays a critical role in sustaining biodiversity and providing wildlife with essential resources, including food and breeding grounds. Conserving and restoring habitats helps protect biodiversity by providing essential
resources and suitable conditions for them to thrive. Healthy habitats do not
only support species that depend on them bur also contribute to the overall
health of the planet.
Flyways (Bird Migratory Routes)
Flyways are well-established routes and stopover sites that are utilised by billions of birds during their migration each year. Migration is one of the most important characteristics of the avian world, linking birds between their breeding and wintering grounds. At some point, birds need to stop for food and rest on their migration journeys. These flyways encompass the whole life cycle of migratory birds.
Safeguarding habitats at specific sites is one of the most effective conservation strategies for combating the biodiversity crisis in the world. These sites are carefully identified based on the biodiversity numbers and species they hold and are called Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs). BirdLife defines IBAs as sites of international significance for the conservation of the world’s birds and other biodiversity. The IBA concept is one of bird conservationโs cornerstones, which identifies all priority sites for bird conservation based on objective criteria for identifying the presence of key bird species and populations. This concept was developed and has been championed by BirdLife International since 1985, building on and feeding into various key legislative concepts such as Ramsar Sites and the European Bird Directive, now incorporated into Natura 2000.
Over the last decade or so, the global Important Bird Areas (IBAโs) network has steadily been absorbed into the framework of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA), with all existing IBAs automatically qualifying as KBAs (referred to as Legacy KBAs). KBAs are sites contributing significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity. The KBA concept is based on all biodiversity values, including all groups of species (not only birds), as well as incorporating criteria related to ecosystems. It is important and a global priority that countries implement programs that reassess these legacy KBA sites against the KBA Standard and identify new KBAs, taking into account additional taxa and ecosystems. In Zambia, the 42 KBAs have been recognized by them automatically qualifying from IBAs. However, these sites need to be assessed using the KBA guidelines, criteria, and threshold in a Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas (IUCN, 2016). These guidelines should be closely followed in designating Zambiaโs KBAs, with the recognition that the need for scientific objectivity and standardization has to be balanced by common sense and practical objectives. IUCN has established and recognizes 5 KBA criteria (A-E), with thresholds to be followed for the selection and identification of KBAs under each criterion.
CHIMFUNSHI SITE
A large private farm on the banks of the Kafue river and close to its headwaters. It lies between the ChingolaโSolwezi road and the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Much of the area is rich miombo woodland which is interspersed with dambo and mushitu. Some sections of the Kafue are fringed with tall riparian forest and others spread onto wide flood-plains. At the heart of the farm is a long-established chimpanzee orphanage which has received considerable attention from the international media (though chimpanzees are not indigenous to Zambia). This aspect of the farm continues to grow and develop; 20 ha are dedicated to Sustainable agriculture and 200 ha have been fenced for chimpanzees while cattle graze on the 4,000 ha of floodplains. Visitors are welcome all year long, there are chalets, a campsite and an education centre, and there are plans to build a lodge.
As for the other topics on the page, here is some more information:
HABITAT:
60% Miombo Forest
40% Floodplain
LAND USE:
20 ha Farm
200 ha Sanctuary
Rest is nature
MONITORING:
We are currently doing the bird survey. More actions are coming, especially on key species like Wattled Crane and Hooded Vultures
THREATS:
We are protecting our landscape through an anti-poaching unit that removes snares and a fire unit that creates firebreaks to safeguard key areas and is deployed to extinguish bushfires when they occur.
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are the most important places in the world for species and their habitats. The KBA concept focuses on safeguarding global biodiversity and is recognised as vital terrestrial, freshwater, and marine sites for threatened plants and animals. Currently, KBAs are identified using the โGlobal Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areasโ (IUCN 2016). KBAs are sites of global significance for the conservation of biodiversity. The KBA concept is important because it contributes to the preservation of and protection of nature as highlighted in the global biodiversity framework of managing nature post-2020 and also contributes to a 2050 vision that entails people living in harmony with nature. Zambia has relatively high levels of habitat remaining, providing great potential for Key Biodiversity Areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). OECMs is a conservation designation for areas achieving the effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity outside of protected areas.
The best way to save species from extinction is to protect the habitats where they live.
Help us save the species by donating and becoming a BirdWatch Zambia member.
BirdWatch Zambia has representation on the National Steering Committee for Biodiversity, playing a crucial role in the domestication of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
