Chimán Islands (20648)
Panama, Central America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Islas de Chimán
Central coordinates: Latitude: 8.6333, Longitude: -78.6333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 156
Area of KBA (km2): 2.02483
Protected area coverage (%): 79.60
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site includes Islas Majé, Majagual, Pelado, Pajaros Norte and Pajaros Sur. These islands are offshore from the Chimán Wetlands in eastern Panama Province. The islands are uninhabited.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: The site is the second largest nesting concentration of Brown Pelican in Panama, with colonies on Majé, Majagual, and Pajaros Norte and Sur. There is a large nesting colony of White Ibis on Isla Pelado. Other colonially-nesting species include Brown Booby, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, and Yellow-crowned Night-Heron. Non-bird biodiversity: Unknown.
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Majé, Majagual, and Pajaros Norte and Sur are mostly covered with semideciduous lowland forest. Isla Pelado is mostly coveredd with low scrub and grass.
Land use: hunting | not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 45 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Forest | 45 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The major threat is fires set by iguana hunters to flush their quarry. The larger islands could be a potential site for development for tourism.
Additional information
References: Angehr, George R. and James A. Kushlan. Seabird and colonial wadingbird nesting in the Gulf of Panama. (Submitted to Waterbirds)