Amami islands (15282)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1e, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Amami islands
Central coordinates: Latitude: NaN, Longitude: NaN
Area of KBA (km2): 1244.74387
Protected area coverage (%): 36.46
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site corresponds to the Amami Island archipelago in the Satsunan Islands, part of the Ryukyu Islands southwest of Kyushu, Japapn. These limestone islands have a humid subtropical climate. Broadleaf evergreen forests support many threatened and endemic species, which are threatened by deforestation.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known populations of Babina subaspera, Odorrana splendida, Odorrana amamiensis, Tokudaia osimensis and Tokudaia tokunoshimensis. Seven birds meet KBA Criterion B2 and an additional five mammals, three birds, and two amphibians meet legacy KBA criteria and are in need of reassessment against the Global Standard.
Manageability of the site: This site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2004, and access to the original manageability rationale is no longer available.
Delineation rationale: Delineation follows the terrestrial boundary of the Amami Island group.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the future |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Only in the future | |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future |