Key Biodiversity Areas

Oshima island (15036)
Japan, Asia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Oshima island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.7333, Longitude: 139.4000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 764
Area of KBA (km2): 91.09016
Protected area coverage (%): 96.30
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Ohshima, which is located about 110 km south of Tokyo metropolitan area, is the largest island in the Izushoto islands. These islands fall within the Tokyo administrative district even though they are more than 100 km from Tokyo. It has a composite volcano, Mt Miharayama, at the center. We can see precipitous cliffs on the east side of the volcano, and a flat land on the west side. The soil of this island mainly consists of basalt. And outcrops of lava and volcanic ejecta due to repeated eruptions can be seen everywhere.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Forest100

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesInvasive non-native/alien species/diseasesNamed speciesOngoing