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The regional population of Lesser Jacana Microparra capensis is suspected to be in decline and approaching but not attaining the 30% threshold required to qualify the species as regionally Vulnerable under criterion A2. However the population is certainly less than10 000 mature individuals and the decline in the regional population is in excess of 10% over a three generation period satisfying criterion C1 for regionally Vulnerable.
The Lesser Jacana has a fragmented range throughout tropical and subtropical Africa. In southern Africa, the species occurs in northern Namibia and Zimbabwe, with the Okavango Delta in Botswana and nearby wetland systems being a stronghold. In southern Mozambique it is recorded widely but sparsely (Parker 1999). Within the region, northern KwaZulu-Natal is the only area in which this species breeds regularly. It is mainly a vagrant to north-eastern South Africa, occurring primarily in wet years in small numbers. It is an uncommon visitor to eastern Swaziland (Parker 1994) and is absent from Lesotho. The historical range has contracted significantly; the type specimen was collected from Algoa Bay, Eastern Cape (Allan 2000) and there are historical records of birds breeding in the Durban area (Stark and Sclater 1906, Clancey 1964, Brooke 1984). The species exhibits incidences of vagrancy with occasional records from the Mpumalanga Highveld and Hwange Panveld, Zimbabwe (Tarboton and Fry 1986). Its transient occurrence is also clearly discernable in the number of isolated records on the distribution map (overleaf). Local movements may be dependent upon rainfall with Allan (2000) making mention that the population may number in the hundreds during suitable conditions, but that the species may be entirely absent during times of drought. The Lesser Jacana has an EoO of c. 244 500 km2, which represents an increase of 4.5% from SABAP1. More worrying is a marked decline in AoO (by c. 54%) since SABAP1, to the current AoO of c. 9 100 km2. It should be noted that only approximately 2% of this area is made up of waterbodies, meaning that the AoO is probably closer to 180 km2. The species was recorded in eight IBAs with iSimangaliso Wetland Park (SA058) being the most important, followed by Mkuze Game Reserve (SA057) and Richards Bay Game Reserve (SA079). Other IBAs included Mapungubwe National Park (SA001), the Nyl River Floodplain (SA008), Umvoti Estuary (SA073) and interestingly the Kwazulu-Natal Mistbelt Forests (SA071) and Kwazulu-Natal Mistbelt Grasslands (SA078) IBAs.
Estimation of population sizes is greatly complicated by the erratic movements and elusive nature of the species; for example, it can be locally common in prime habitat, with estimates of 22 birds/100 ha at St Lucia (Tarboton and Fry 1986) but may disappear within weeks if conditions change. BirdLife International (2014) does not provide a global population estimate. Brooke (1984) listed this species as Rare based mainly upon its limited occurrence and small population size. The population in southern Mozambique is thought to probably exceed 100 birds. The regional population is likely less than1 000 mature individuals although this may fluctuate greatly. Confidence in this regional population estimate is low and needs to be verified.
BirdLife International (2014) does not provide a global population trend estimate. The alarming regional decline in AoO of -54% is of concern, particularly as a concomitant decline in population would qualify this species as regionally Endangered. However the occurrence of Lesser Jacana as a breeding species is largely driven by environmental conditions with individuals taking advantage of the creation of seasonal pans, and possibly congregating in years with low rainfall or moving away from the region completely. The relationship between population decline and a decrease in AoO in the case of Lesser Jacana is thus unlikely to be linear. It is however suspected that the regional population is in decline, and that this decline is ongoing and is approaching the 30% over a three-generation period threshold. Confidence in this trend estimate is low and requires verification.
Major threats to this species are wetland degradation, destruction and interference with floodplain ecology through the impoundment of dams and improper catchment management. Undoubtedly the damming of the Pongola River and creation of the Pongolapoort Dam would have had a significantly adverse impact on Lesser Jacana populations occurring on the Makatini Flats. Thulazihleka Pan, a site at which Lesser Jacana bred regularly but which has been subjected to several pollution events over the past decade, now seems to be devoid of these birds. Habitat loss may have also occurred as result of agricultural conversion, afforestation and industrialisation.
No species-specific conservation measures are currently underway. The establishment of the 332 000 ha iSimangaliso Wetland Park in 1999 and, in particular, the removal of plantations from both the Western Shores and Eastern Shores sections of the park, would have benefited this species. Wetland systems are afforded some degree of protection from development through the National Environmental Management Act: Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations and the National Water Act. Certain types of development within or in close proximity to a wetland requires further investigation and where appropriate, species surveys may be required prior to any activity being undertaken. The species is reasonably well represented in the protected areas network.
The conservation of the Lesser Jacana in South Africa depends mainly upon the protection of the complex system of wetlands, river floodplains, lakes and natural pans in north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal. The conservation status of the Lesser Jacana is recognised by Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife and the species is considered protected in terms of the provincial legislation (Kwazulu-Natal Environmental, Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Bill, 2015) and is included as a key species within the province's systematic conservation plan. It is imperative that the integrity of the existing wetland systems within the distribution of the Lesser Jacana are managed to ensure suitable breeding habitat. In addition, the catchments of these areas need to be conserved to ensure the appropriate hydrological functioning of these systems.
* An accurate census of the population within KwaZulu-Natal, preferably over several seasons to take into account fluctuating rainfall levels, is required.
* The impact of hydrological changes on the wetland systems within which the Lesser Jacana occurs should be evaluated. Syntopic species such as the African Pygmy Goose would also benefit from such research.