Why an Important Bird Areas project; why not trees, or butterflies or frogs or even mammals? The short answer is that birds are by far the best known group of natural organisms and research has indicated that the pattern of endemism in birds closely mathced by many other animal grops and their associated vegetation types. The IBA is therefore about the conservation of biological diversity with birds providing the scientific baseline data, as well as the initial focus of attention. Birds become the currency of conservation.

Birdlife International has a clear mission. to save all the birds of the world from extinction. To attain this goal the the specific sites that are most important must be identified. Once identified for threats to them must be assessed and the sites prioritised for conservation action.

A species list will be available for all the Atlas squares which have some records. These square lists are accessible through this map of Tanzania [Map of Tanzania]. For sites of particular interest such as a National Park, Game Reserve, or Forest

Reserve the records are stored under that site name and species lists for these are also available through the map. Atlas data has been extensively used in the compilation of the Important Bird Areas book for Tanzania. Information on Tanzania's 80 IBA sites can be accessed through the map of Tanzania. The IBA book will be linked to this web site in the near future.

Photo: Geoff & Anabel Harries Cinnamon Bee-Eater

The following maps from the IBA book illustrate the usefulness of Atlas data in understanding the distribution of species of conservation concern.

[Endemic species]
[Endemic Bird Area species]
[Globally Threatened forest species]
[Globally Threatened non-forest species]
[African Highlands biome]
[Somali-Masai biome]
[Zambesian biome]
[East African Coast biome]
[Lake Victoria Basin biome]
[Guinea-Congolian biome]
[Waterbird concentrations]