Cat Islet Seabird Refuge, Penghu County Refuge (14318)
Taiwan, China, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Cat Islet Seabird Refuge, Penghu County Refuge
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.3167, Longitude: 119.3000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 79
Area of KBA (km2): 1.85826
Protected area coverage (%): 20.35
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Extent of this site: consists of Big and Small Cat Islets. Cat Islets are in the southwestern seas of the Penghu Archipelago; they are 50 km to Makung, 20 km northwest of Chimei Islet; and 25 km west-southwest of Wangan Islet. The peak of Big Cat Islet, in the center of the islet, is 79 m in elevation. It is also the highest peak of the Penghu Archipelago. Small Cat Islet is 100 m to the southeast of Big Cat Islet, with a peak of 50 m. Both islets are named after their cat-like landforms. Surrounded by steep rocky cliffs, the islets are difficult for humans to climb up on. Totally 19 species in 12 families of plants have been recorded here. Chenopodium virgatum is the dominant ground cover on both Big and Small Cat Islets in summer; Silky-haired Crab Grass Digitaria serricea and Formosan Peacock-plume Chloris formosana are the dominant species in winter. The major bird species in Cat Islets are Common Noddy and Bridled Tern, which account for over 95% of all birds.
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 here in summer. • The average single count of Bridled Terns during 1987 and 1988 was 4,000-6,000 birds. The average count during the 1997 breeding season even rose to 8,000. • The average single count for the Common Noddy during 1987-1998 was 2,000-3,000 birds. The average count in 1997 rose to over 4,500. The accuracy of the estimation is higher than 80%. Non-bird biodiversity: • Nineteen species of plants in 12 families have been recorded.
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 | |
| Marine Neritic | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: • Fishermen and tourists come to the islets for sightseeing and for collecting bird eggs, conch, and laver. • The Air Force used to conduct bombing practice during breeding season, which caused severe disturbance to bird breeding activities.
Additional information
References: • Lin, C. S. et at. 1991. Geology and Landforms of the Penghu Archipelago. Taiwan Provincial Education Board. • Lin, C. H. et al. 1997. Penghu Cat Islet Seabird Refuge. Penghu County Government. • Penghu County Government. 1997. Revision of Penghu Cat Islet Seabird Refuge Plan. Penghu County Government. • Department of Zoology, National Taiwan University. 1999. Wildlife Refuges in Taiwan. Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan. • Chang, T. G. Report on the Investigation of the Avian Resources of Penghu Cat islet Seabird Refuge. Penghu County Government. • Jeng, C. S. 1999. Avian Resources of the Penghu Archipelago. Penghu County Government.