Areia Branca no Dolok Oan (15796)
Timor-Leste, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Areia Branca no Dolok Oan
Central coordinates: Latitude: -8.5410, Longitude: 125.6350
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 29.75096
Protected area coverage (%): 58.86
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A scenic area close to Dili with numerous steep low hills covered in Eucalyptus alba savanna woodland. It includes a limited coastal embayment including extensive shallow mudflats and sea-grass beds, limited mangrove, rock platforms and beaches. Small stands of tropical dry forest are developing in gullies and on ridge tops. This area is part of a network of coastal wetlands that includes the Tibar, Tasitolu, Hera and Metinaro areas, which are characterised by extensive mudflat and mangrove habitats.
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) KBA identified by the 2014 CEPF Wallacea Ecosystem Profile process. Taxonomy and threat status follow the 2013 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: Nine restricted-range species have been recorded in this IBA; the Critically Endangered Christmas Island Frigatebird Fregata andrewsi has also occurred but only as a vagrant (Trainor 2004b).
Delineation rationale: 2015-06-10 (BL Secretariat): site area changed from 2994 ha to 2916 ha, following 2014 CEPF Ecosystem Profile.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: A scenic area close to Dili with numerous steep low hills covered in Eucalyptus alba savanna woodland. It includes a limited coastal embayment including extensive shallow mudflats and sea-grass beds, limited mangrove, rock platforms and beaches. Small stands of tropical dry forest are developing in gullies and on ridge tops. This area is part of a network of coastal wetlands that includes the Tibar, Tasitolu, Hera and Metinaro areas, which are characterised by extensive mudflat and mangrove habitats.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 5 | |
| Marine Neritic | 5 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Savanna | 85 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats to this IBA include intensive collection of Eucalyptus alba trees for fuel wood, subsistence and trade, disposal of household rubbish and illegal extraction of sand behind the beaches. The beach area is increasingly being used for recreational purposes by the large expatriate community, and recreation and tourism hotel developments pose a potentially significant threat in the future.