Atauro Island (15829)
Timor-Leste, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Atauro Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -8.2310, Longitude: 125.5780
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 995
Area of KBA (km2): 140.2964
Protected area coverage (%): 17.84
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Small patches of tropical semi-evergreen and montane forest on the steep ridges and upper slopes (at 700–970 m) of Mount Manucoco are an important biogeographic representation of these habitat types. These forests occur on topographically protected slopes of Mount Manucoco and cover about 40 km2. Atauro is a member of the Inner Banda Arc of islands (in contrast to Timor which is part of the Outer Arc) which includes the volcanic islands of Lombok through to the Banda islands (Monk et al. 1997). There are no active volcanoes: the landscape is dominated by highly eroded Tertiary (Mio-Pliocene) volcanoes of submarine origin with dissected narrow ridges peaking on Mount Manucoco (995 m) and extensive uplifted coralline reef to 600 m (Monk et al. 1997). There is a broad fringing reef (typically 30–150 m wide), but limited development of alluvial plains and no freshwater wetlands, tidal rivers or extensive mangrove. Newly opened (with corn, peanuts, coconut, bananas, papaya and other fruit trees) and older regenerating swidden fields are dominant near villages but there are remains relatively extensive remnants of dry and evergreen tropical forest (particularly on mountain peaks and gullies) and natural grassy savannas woodlands dominated by Eucalyptus alba (authors’ observations).
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: Fourteen restricted-range species have been recorded in this IBA, including during a 10-day survey in November–December 2003 (Ora 2000, Trainor et al. 2004, Trainor and Soares 2004, Trainor and Leitão in press). The Endangered Timor Green-pigeon is listed for this IBA on the basis of reports by local people, but this has not yet been verified by direct observations.
Delineation rationale: 2015-06-10 (BL Secretariat): site area changed from 14118 ha to 14184 ha, following 2014 CEPF Ecosystem Profile.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Small patches of tropical semi-evergreen and montane forest on the steep ridges and upper slopes (at 700–970 m) of Mount Manucoco are an important biogeographic representation of these habitat types. These forests occur on topographically protected slopes of Mount Manucoco and cover about 40 km2. Atauro is a member of the Inner Banda Arc of islands (in contrast to Timor which is part of the Outer Arc) which includes the volcanic islands of Lombok through to the Banda islands (Monk et al. 1997). There are no active volcanoes: the landscape is dominated by highly eroded Tertiary (Mio-Pliocene) volcanoes of submarine origin with dissected narrow ridges peaking on Mount Manucoco (995 m) and extensive uplifted coralline reef to 600 m (Monk et al. 1997). There is a broad fringing reef (typically 30–150 m wide), but limited development of alluvial plains and no freshwater wetlands, tidal rivers or extensive mangrove. Newly opened (with corn, peanuts, coconut, bananas, papaya and other fruit trees) and older regenerating swidden fields are dominant near villages but there are remains relatively extensive remnants of dry and evergreen tropical forest (particularly on mountain peaks and gullies) and natural grassy savannas woodlands dominated by Eucalyptus alba (authors’ observations).
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 95 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Fires and wood cutting were listed as threats by FAO/UNDP (1982). Forest boundaries appear relatively stable with boundaries associated with fires. Swidden agriculture is used on the slopes up to 600 m and may have played a role in the current distribution of forest.