Guguan Island (24524)
Northern Mariana Islands (to USA), Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Guguan Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.3167, Longitude: 145.8333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 301
Area of KBA (km2): 85.36888
Protected area coverage (%): 0.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The proposed Guguan Island IBA is uninhabited and protected by CNMI law as a Wildlife Conservation Area. The volcanic island is free of large introduced mammals. The coast is bordered by steep basaltic rock with gables of high ridges which contain deep, rain-eroded gorges.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The entire island of Guguan is proposed as an IBA under A4i and A4iii criteria. The island qualifies as an IBA under A4i criteria for Grey-backed Terns and Sooty Terns. The island qualifies under A4iii criteria for its total seabird population. Guguan is also home to Micronesian Megapodes, White-throated Ground-Doves, Micronesian Starlings, Collared Kingfishers, and Micronesian Honeyeaters (DFW, 2007b). Non-bird biodiversity: Additional rare and endangered species on the island include Mariana Fruit Bat.
Supersedes another site: 30986
Delineation rationale: This boundary includes the original colony area with an additional 4km marine foraging buffer. These buffers were redefined and are now more appropriate for the trigger species (Sooty Tern, Grey-backed Tern).
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Rats are present on the island. Guguan is an active volcano and last erupted in the 1880s (www.volcano.si.edu).
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Geological events | Volcanoes | Only in the future |