Betsey Island (23908)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Betsey Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -43.0535, Longitude: 147.4830
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 1.74655
Protected area coverage (%): 95.25
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Betsey Island and Little Betsey Island are located just off the south-east coast of Tasmania between Tasman Peninsula and Bruny Island. Betsey Island (175 ha) has steep rocky cliffs on the east, south and west sides and a small rocky beach on the north. The west side has a gentler slope gradient and open sandy terrain which is more suitable for burrowing birds. Open woodlands consisting of Tasmanian Blue Gum cover most of the island. The main rock type is dolerite with some sandstone outcrops in the north-east. Little Betsey Island (0.75 ha) is a steep sided rock with a platform on the top. Old remains of buildings can be found from when the island was farmed (Brothers et al. 2001).
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: Other birds found on Betsey and Little Betsey Islands are the Kelp Gull (three pairs and 11 individuals recorded by Brothers et al. [2001] but higher numbers have been observed [E. Woehler in litt. 2008]) and White-bellied Sea-Eagle (one breeding pair recorded by Brothers et al. [2001]). Swamp Harriers also nest on the island (E. Woehler in litt. 2008). Non-bird biodiversity: Other animals found on Betsey Island and Little Betsey Island are Rabbit, White's Skink and the She-oak Skink. Vegetation includes Eucalyptus globulus, Tetragonia implexicoma and the invasive weeds Cape Leeuwin Wattle and African Boxthorn (Brothers et al. 2001).
Other site values: State Government Nature Reserve. Permission should be sought from DPIW before visiting this Nature Reserve.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 6 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 31 | |
| Forest | 63 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Eradicate rabbits and manage Cape Leeuwin Wattle in a way that doesn't create excessive erosion or loss of substrate for burrow-nesting birds. Use of gill nets should be regulated to minimise impacts on penguins and cormorants.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Brothers, N., Pemberton, D., Pryor, H. & Halley, V. (2001) Tasmania's Offshore Islands: seabirds and other natural features. Tasmanian Museum and Art gallery: Hobart. Skira, I.J., Brothers, N.P. & Pemberton, D. (1996) Distribution, abundance and conservation status of Short-tailed Shearwaters Puffinus tenuirostris in Tasmania, Australia. Marine Ornithology 24: 1-14.
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Birds Australia. Rachael Alderman and Rosemary Gales of DPIW and Eric Woehler kindly commented on the nomination.