Uafato-Tiavea Forest (23810)
Samoa, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Uafato-Tiavea Forest
Central coordinates: Latitude: -13.9627, Longitude: -171.5112
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 740
Area of KBA (km2): 19.25916
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site covers a high priority forest conservation site on the north west of Upolu island. The lowland forest was identified in the Samoa NBSAP as a high priority for forest conservation due to its pristine lowland forest and the high density and richness of plants and avifauna.
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)
Additional biodiversity: The site has been extensively surveyed since 1991 when it was recognised as a priority site for the conservation of lowland forests in Samoa. Globally threatened species such as Tooth- billed Pigeon, Mao, Samoan Triller and Samoan Flycatcher are present in the low elevations. It is the only site where the first three of these species are all found along the coastal ridges - although population densities are not as high as other identified sites. Non-bird biodiversity: The site is home to good populations of other threatened species such as Pteropus samoensis and Intisa bijuga
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 2330 ha to 2191 ha. 2015-10-20 (BL Secretariat): IBA polygon slightly extended to incorporate the KBA 'Uafato-Tiavea Coastal Forest' (2007 CEPF Ecosystem Profile).