Miyakejima island (15040)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Miyakejima island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.0667, Longitude: 139.5333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 814
Area of KBA (km2): 55.49934
Protected area coverage (%): 94.47
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Miyakejima, which is located about 180 km south-southwest of Tokyo metropolitan area, is a volcanic island with the circumference of nearly 35 km and with an area of 55.5 km2. This island has experienced repeated volcanic eruptions, and some distinctive volcanic features like Tairo-ike pond and the former Shinmyo-ike pond can be seen everywhere on the island. From the shore to the area around 450 m above the sea level, we can see evergreen broadleaf forests which mainly consist of Castanopsis cuspdata , Machilus tunbergii and Camellia japonica, etc., as well as secondary forests which consist of some kinds of Alnus japonica and Prunus speciosa, etc.
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 Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 |
Threats
| 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 |
| Climate change & severe weather | Other impacts | Only in the future | |
| Geological events | Volcanoes | Only in the future | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |