Key Biodiversity Areas

Niijima and Shikinejima Islands (15038)
Japan, Asia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Niijima and Shikinejima Islands
Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.3667, Longitude: 139.2667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 432
Area of KBA (km2): 27.74435
Protected area coverage (%): 99.82
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Niijima village consists of Niijma, Shikinejima and the other uninhabited islets. Niijima, which is located about 150 km south of Tokyo metropolitan area, is a narrow island formed within the range of two volcanos, Mt Miyatsukayama on the north and Mt Mukaiyama on the south. Shikinejima is an island with terracing, located about 6 km south of Niijima. It is formed of rhyolite mainly, and the ria coastline also has Pinus thunbergii forests.
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
Forest50
Marine Coastal/Supratidal50

Threats


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