Ngerutechei, Babeldaob (23549)
Palau, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Ngerutechei, Babeldaob
Central coordinates: Latitude: 7.5167, Longitude: 134.5167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 130
Area of KBA (km2): 11.3544
Protected area coverage (%): 15.63
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA is a discrete block of forest in the Ngerutechei area of Ngaremlengui. The site is bordered on the north and west by the Ngaremlengui Road and the Compact Road, respectively. To the east and south, the IBA extends to the edge of the land, not including the coastal mangroves. The Ngerutechei site is the only IBA on Babeldaob that includes significant riverine mangrove habitat. Mangroves, in general, are not well represented in Palau’s network of IBAs because the surveys that were used to identify IBAs did not include transects in the mangroves. The IBA includes the mountains of Etiruir, Tmerou, Sechedui and Ngeruach, which collectively form the highest areas in the state of Ngaremlengui.
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: All of Palau’s restricted-range bird species, with the exception of the Giant White-eye, are found in the Ngerutechei IBA. Non-bird biodiversity: This IBA includes a unique swamp forest visible from the Compact Road. It is also home to many of Babeldaob’s flora and fauna, including many endemics and endangered species. Over 100 species of plants have been documented. This site also includes the ancient Ngerutechei Village, a proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site. More information about the birds residing in this IBA is being recorded in new surveys being conducted by the Belau National Museum (Olsen 2007).
Delineation rationale: 2012-12-17 (BL Secretariat): original polygon clipped to hi-res coastline following identification in October 2012 of new marine IBA offshore this site; site area consequently changed from 966 ha to 1135 ha.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The Ngerutechei IBA which extends beyond the Ngerutechei Village is part of the larger Ngaremeduu Biosphere Reserve. The Village itself is listed in the National Register of historical sites.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |