Fana Island (23560)
Palau, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Fana Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.3500, Longitude: 132.2167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 21
Area of KBA (km2): 0.40488
Protected area coverage (%): 99.65
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Fana is one of the four uplifted reef flat islands that comprise the state of Sonsorol in the Southwest Islands. It is a densely vegetated island of 0.35 km2. Fana rises only a few feet above sea level and is susceptible to storms and other natural disasters. Currently the island is uninhabited. There is a small population, generally less than 30 people, who live on nearby Sonsorol island. The population of Sonsorol generally increases slightly during the summer months when people return to their home islands from Koror where they live throughout the remainder of the year.
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: Fana qualifies as an IBA because of A4, type iii congregations of nesting Black Noddy (ranging from 8,000-20,000 birds) and common White Terns (3,000-10,000 birds). In addition, the total populations of nesting seabirds and waterbirds on Fana have been estimated at between 23,000 and 31,000. These estimates include Black Noddy, Brown Noddy, Greater Frigatebird, Red-footed Booby, Brown Booby, and common White Tern. The colonies of Red-footed Booby (5,000-8,000 birds) may be the largest in Micronesia, and among the largest in the world (Kepler 1992). Non-bird biodiversity: Because of its small size and relative isolation, Fana is a unique ecosystem. The Pisonia forest of Fana has been described as one of the “finest representatives of this dwindling habitat in the Pacific” (Kepler 1992). Water resources are extremely limited. The site is not only important for birds but also for its significant coconut crab population and beaches for nesting green turtles. Very few biological assessments have been conducted at Fana, so little has been documented about other terrestrial biodiversity of the island.
Other site values: Like all of the Southwest Islands, access to Fana from the main islands of Palau is by the service of the Hatohobei State boat. The boat trip to Fana and Sonsorol takes about 24 hours on the state boat, which travels at about 6 knots. There is no deep water channel for deep boats or anchorage at Sonsorol or Fana, so small punts must meet the state boat as it waits outside the fringing reef in order to ferry passengers and supplies to and from the island. This can only occur during the day when the tide is high enough for passage of the punts.
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 updated to 40 ha.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Potential threats to the islands are the presence and introduction of invasive species, over-harvesting, and climate change. Rats have been introduced to Fana only in the past ten years.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Kepler, A. (1992). Report on Terrestrial Flora and Fauna, Southwest Palau Islands Expedition, June 1-19, 1992. The Nature Conservancy: Koror, Palau.