South Sanriku coast (15267)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: South Sanriku coast
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.8167, Longitude: 141.5833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 1.36115
Protected area coverage (%): 99.06
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is a ria coast located in Miyagi Prefecture. The geography of the site is mainly a combination of capes with steep cliffs and sharp and deep bays in most areas. Most of the coastline consists of rocks and rocky shores, and narrow cobble beaches lie in front of the coast and between the rocky areas. Along the coasts where relatively large rivers flow in, there are lowlands that are used for rice paddies or hold coastal forests of Pinus thunbergii at some places. There are areas which consist of sand beaches and rocky shores alternately, and farmlands and rice paddies.
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 Intertidal | 50 | |
| Marine Neritic | 50 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |