Tshubakijima, Aomatsusima islets (15263)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Tshubakijima, Aomatsusima islets
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.9333, Longitude: 141.7167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 35
Area of KBA (km2): 0.07894
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Tsubakijima islet is an uninhabited islet located about 1 km off shore of Hirota Peninsula in the south of Iwate Prefecture. Aomatsushima islet is located off the west of Tsubakijima. Camellia japonica (Tsubaki) once grew wild on Tsubakijima but it disappeared due to breeding activities of Black-tailed Gull. A greater part of the islet is composed of rocks today. As for the vegetation of the islet, Reynoutria sachalinensis grows in clusters on the upper parts while Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii and other grasses form grasslands on the slopes. There are no trees on the islet. Aomatsushima is covered with Pittosporum tobira, a rare tree species, Machilus tunbergii and Pinus thunbergii , and Artemisia indica var. maximowiczii and other grasses are seen along the shore.
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.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 100 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geological events | Earthquakes/tsunamis | Only in the past and unlikely to return |