South Barnard Islands (23972)
Australia, Australasia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: D1a

Year of last assessment: 2009

National site name: South Barnard Islands

Central coordinates: Latitude: -17.7417, Longitude: 146.1605

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 46

Area of KBA (km²): 4.52416

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The South Barnard Islands are in the inner Great Barrier Reef, 6 km off the north Queensland coast, about 26 km south-east of Innisfail. The group consists of two high forested islands, Stephens and Sisters, joined by intertidal sand. Sisters is 2.5 ha, mostly low dense rainforest with a mangrove fringe. Most terns nest on the 0.3 ha eastern islet, which is dominated by grasses. Stephens is a 12 ha rainforest island surrounded by cliffs. There are relatively few surveys from many other neighbouring islands, which may also qualify for inclusion within the IBA, especially as Lesser Crested Terns often move breeding sites between years.

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: 120 pairs and 700 adult Roseate Terns in 1985; up to 1000-1500 non-breeding Black-naped Terns.

Other site values: Australian Federal Government with management the responsibility of GBRMPA.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Marine Intertidal	5
Forest	90
Marine Coastal/Supratidal	5

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Investigate whether human disturbance (e.g. for picnics) is limiting successful nesting of terns. Monitor numbers and breeding success of seabird colonies. Raise awareness of likely impacts of sea-level rise and sea warming.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Climate change & severe weather	Storms & flooding		Only in the future
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Ongoing

Additional information

References: GBRMPA. (1997) Guidelines for Managing Visitation to Seabird Breeding Islands. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority unpublished report. Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service (2007) GBR seabird database (accessed May 2007). Walker, T.A. and Oldroyd, A. (1991) South Barnard islands, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Corella 15: 112-114.