Sites and Habitats
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs)
The IBA concept is one of bird conservation’s 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 conservation’s 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 (IBA’s) 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 Zambia’s 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.
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 “Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas” (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.