Bedout Island (23916)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Bedout Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -19.5885, Longitude: 119.0995
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 8
Area of KBA (km2): 0.41017
Protected area coverage (%): 99.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Bedout Island is situated 40 km north of the mouth of the De Grey River in the Pilbara of Western Australia. It is an undulating sand cay, vegetated with Spinifex longifolius, has an arid climate with an annual average rainfall of ca 300 mm and is subject to occasional tropical cyclones.
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: Additional breeding birds: 120-170 pairs Masked Booby, White-bellied Sea-Eagle, Silver Gull, Crested Tern and Lesser Crested Tern. Old records, possibly before Black Rats introduced, of Roseate Tern, Sooty Tern and Brown Noddy. Non-bird biodiversity: Rattus rattus was probably introduced from pearling vessels late 19th century; eradicated 1991.
Other site values: Western Australian State Government with management by Dept of Environment & Conservation. Apply for permission from DEC.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 95 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Seabirds need regular monitoring. The possible re-colonisation of rats (eradicated in 1991) and other exotic predators needs monitoring.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Burbidge, A.A., Fuller, P.J., Lane, J.A.K. & Moore, S.A. 1987. Counts of nesting boobies and Lesser Frigate-birds in Western Australia. Emu 87, 128-9. Burbidge, A.A. and Morris, K.D. 2002. Introduced mammal eradications for nature conservation on Western Australian islands: a review. In: Veitch, C. R.; Clout, M. N. (eds) Turning the tide: the eradication of invasive species. Auckland, IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, pp. 64-70. DEC Seabird Breeding Islands Database
Contributors: The nomination was prepared by Andrew Burbidge in consultation with DEC.