Tasman Island (23963)
Australia, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Tasman Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -43.2383, Longitude: 148.0027
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 300
Area of KBA (km2): 1.20138
Protected area coverage (%): 97.04
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This small island is 17 km south-east of Port Arthur and 13 km south of Hippolyte Rocks (which are also designated as an IBA) off the south-east coast of Tasman Peninsula. The island is oval-shaped, surrounded by rugged columnar cliffs up to 60 m high, rising to meet boulder-strewn slopes and a gently sloping 300 m high plateau. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has a 25-year lease on a lighthouse and helipad on the island. Other infrastructure includes three lighthouse keepers’ residences, haulage way remnants and sheds. The management plan for Tasman National Park allows for low impact, low level, non-intrusive visitor usage of the area.
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: The 28 species recorded include Peregrine Falcon, Flame Robin, Wedge-tailed Eagle, 300 pairs of Little Penguin (although a count in 2006 suggests numbers of this species may have declined in response to predation by cats) and 6000 pairs of Short-tailed Shearwater. It may also support the largest numbers of the near threatened Sooty Shearwater in Australia (1000 breeding pairs reported by Brothers et al. (2001) but this estimate likely to be of poor accuracy). Non-bird biodiversity: Metallic, White's and Ocellated Skink occur, while She-oak Skink is common. Increasing numbers of Australian Fur Seals and small numbers of New Zealand Fur Seals occupy ledges and the rocky western shore. Poa poiformis, Tetragonia implexicoma, Acacia verticillata, Banksia marginata and Leptospermum scoparium are dominant amongst the approximately 100 plant species recorded. Previously grazed by livestock, native vegetation is now flourishing, and the plateau area again supports extensive areas of shrubs.
Other site values: Owned by Tasmanian State Government; managed by Parks and Wildlife Service and Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The eradication of feral cats is straightforward and highly necessary (control of cats between 1978-1983 greatly reduced incidences of predation but cat populations have since recovered in the absence of sustained control effort). The 'biosecurity' of the island needs to be strengthened to prevent future colonisation by problematic exotic species.
| 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 |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Brothers, N.P. (1979) Ratites to ducks. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. Brothers, N.P. (1979) Tasman Island. Corella 3: 55-57. Brothers, N.P., Pemberton, D., Pryor, H. and Halley, V. (2001) Tasmania's Offshore Islands: seabirds and other natural features. Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery: Hobart. Marchant, S. and Higgins, P.J., eds. (1990) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 1: Ratites to Ducks. Oxford University Press: Melbourne. Parks and Wildlife Service (2001) Tasman National Park and Reserves Management Plan. Parks and Wildlife Service: Hobart. Skira, I.J., Brothers, N.P. and 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 Peter Britton. Rachael Alderman and Rosemary Gales of DPIW and Eric Woehler kindly commented on the nomination.