Suwarrow Atoll National Park (23661)
Cook Islands, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Suwarrow Atoll National Park
Central coordinates: Latitude: -13.2682, Longitude: -163.1068
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 9
Area of KBA (km2): 1.61868
Protected area coverage (%): 71.40
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Suwarrow is a low coral atoll located in the Northern Cook Islands. It is about 1,300 km south of the equator and 930 km NNW of Rarotonga, from which it is administered. The Atoll is not permanently inhabited however, the Cook Islands National Environment Service station two rangers on Anchorage for approximately six months of the year. The Rangers acts as Immigration, Police, Biosecurity, Environment and Customs Officers to yachties who turn up for shelter or to rest before continuing on. Suwarrow is an Important Bird Area and also a Key Biodiversity Area, duly because it’s significant seabird breeding colonies and the plentiful marine life.
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: Important nesting sites for Red Tailed Tropicbird, Sooty Tern and Lesser Frigatebird, where >1% of global population is resident. Wintering site for Bristle-thighed Curlew (VU). It supports 14 species of seabird including over one percent of the global population of Sooty tern (Sterna fuscata) Red-tailed tropicbird (Phaeton) and lesser frigatebird (Fregata), Karika et al (2013). Most of the small islets have only herbs and shrubs, with Pemphis acidula and beach heliotrope (Tournefortia argentea) growing in abundance. The larger islands have a dense interior vegetation of Cordia subcordata (tou); which, the westernmost island, Motu Tou is named after this woodland, and its name literally means 'high island'(Jones 2001).
Other site values: Suwarrow was declared a National Park some thirty years ago by the Cook Islands Government and is under the jurisdiction of the National Environment Service.
Delineation rationale: 2012-12-17 (BL Secretariat): original polygon clipped to hi-res coastline (marine areas removed) following identification in October 2012 of new marine IBA offshore this site; site area consequently changed from 9900 ha to 162 ha.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Uninhabited atoll except for two caretakers for six months of each year. Undeveloped except for a cyclone shelter on Anchorage islet. Native atoll vegetation dominates the islets.
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 80 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Invasive species, Habitat destruction
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Rhys, J. J (2001). The status of seabird colonies on the Cook Islands atoll of Suwarrow. Bird Conservation International (2001) 11:309–318. BirdLife International. Rhys.J.J (2008). Suwarrow Seabird Survey; An assessment of the numbers and age stages of seabird chicks on the motus of Suwarrow Atoll. Report prepared for the Cook Islands Prime Minsters Office and Environment Service.