Low Rocks and Sterna Island (Kimberley) (23921)
Australia, Australasia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: D1a

Year of last assessment: 2009

National site name: Low Rocks and Sterna Island (Kimberley)

Central coordinates: Latitude: -14.0935, Longitude: 125.7897

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 50

Area of KBA (km²): 0.14675

Protected area coverage (%): 80.49

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Low Rocks and Sterna island are two islands about 12 km apart in the Montesquieu Islands in Admiralty Gulf, Kimberley, Western Australia. Low Rocks is a 4 ha islet with low scrub and grass. Sterna island, about 14 km to the west, rises to 9 m and has about 4 ha vegetated, dominated by Triodia microstachya and Acacia tumida, and 2 ha of un-vegetated sandstone ledges, which are used by seabirds for breeding. Seabirds stopped breeding on Low Rocks in about 2000 and the terns appear to have relocated to Sterna Island, perhaps because the vegetation on Low Rocks had become too dense for terns to breed (Coate et al. 2004). Annual average rainfall ca 900 mm.

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: Sterna is also a breeding site for Crested Tern (about 2100 nests[?] in 2003) and Lesser Crested Tern (about 250 nests[?] in 2003). 700 Crested and 350 Lesser Crested Tern nests [?] were recorded on Low Rocks in 1997 (Coate et al. 2004). Pied Cormorant is thought to have relocated from Low Rocks to Oyster Rock.

Other site values: Low Rocks = WA State govt; Sterna Island = Unallocated Crown Land, claimed under Native Title. Management is the responsibility of Dept of Environment & Climate Change (DEC). Permission should be obtained from DEC for visits.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research (40%) | not utilised (60%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	67
Marine Coastal/Supratidal	33

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The vegetation on both islands needs to be assessed for suitability for nesting Roseate Terns, and management options explored. Both need monitoring for exotic predators, especially rats. Sterna Island needs protection from human disturbance.

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
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Other ecosystem modifications		Ongoing

Additional information

References: Coate, K., Done, C. and Willing, T. (2004) Seabird Islands. No. 249: Sterna Island, Kimberley Region, Western Australia. Corella 28: 112-114.