Northern Sea Islets (14317)
Taiwan, China, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Northern Sea Islets
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.7167, Longitude: 119.5333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 17
Area of KBA (km2): 7.49107
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Extent of this site: comprised of N. Tiechen, Gupoh, Tudigong, and Baisha, as well as the islets between Baisha Islet and Jibei Islet. These are all square basalt terraces. The biggest deserted islet in Penghu is Gupoh Islet with total area of 21 ha, being 1 km long and 0.3 km wide. The islet is a square terrace formed with 4 land blocks and 3 isthmuses. There are natural white sand beaches both north and south on its eastern coast. The area from the northwest to the northeast of the islet is made of basalt, which is also a famous source for layer. Tiechen Islet has cliffs on all sides. On its north side is a magnificent landform of a wave erosion hole. This islet used to be a military range, so broken rocks cover its surface. In the south there is a small area where red soils of weathered basalt can be found. Baisha and Wugong Islets are together known as Tudigong (Earth God) Islet. The largest unique landform is a huge sand dune in the south, which is on the lee side of a basalt sea cliff. The entire islet of Wugong is formed of dense dark basalt. It is situated 500 m to the east Baisha Islet. In summer, many species of gulls and terns roost and breed in this area, but flocks are dominated by Bridled Terns. The Bridled Terns here constitute the largest group than any other places on the North Sea Islets.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: IBA A4iii Criterion Species: include a variety of gulls and terns breeding in summer. • Bridled Terns roost and breed on N. Tiechen Islet in summer, with numbers commonly reaching 700-800 birds. In August 1998, about 1,000 birds were recorded in June 1997, 450 Roseate Terns were recorded. • In addition to the 2 terns mentioned above, 12 other species are found in this area. The following 5 species are protected: Asian Crested Goshawk, Little Tern, Bridled Tern, Black-naped Tern, and Common Noddy.
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 50 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: • People intrude into areas roosted by the birds. • There’s pressure from tourist activities.
Additional information
References: • Lin, C. H. et al. 1991. Geology and landforms of the Penghu Archipelago. Taiwan Provincial Education Board. • Jeng, C. S. 1999. Avian Resources of the Penghu Archipelago. Penghu County Government. • WBFT. Bird Database.