Key Biodiversity Areas

Nanatsujima islets (15153)
Japan, Asia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Nanatsujima islets
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.6000, Longitude: 136.9000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 62
Area of KBA (km2): 0.3158
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: The site is located about 20 km off the north of Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture. It is divided into two islet groups, the northern group (Ohshima, Karimatajima and Tatsujima) and the southern group (Aramikojima, Eboshijima, Mikuriyajima and Akashima). All the islets are composed of volcanic rocks, most of which are of andesite and the rest are of tuff-breccia. The biggest islet Ohshima is 1km around having the land area of 12.6 ha and the highest point of the islet is 62 m above the sea level. Other six islets are smaller in size with almost perpendicular cliffs of about 40m in height from the sea. On these islets other than Karimatajima, the areas 20 m above the sea are covered with grasses.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Marine Coastal/Supratidal50
Grassland50

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesInvasive non-native/alien species/diseasesUnspecified speciesOnly in the future