Phillip Island (Norfolk Island) (23980)
Norfolk Island (to Australia), Australasia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2009

National site name: Phillip Island (Norfolk Island)

Central coordinates: Latitude: -29.1188, Longitude: 167.9530

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 280

Area of KBA (km²): 1.92079

Protected area coverage (%): 97.67

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The IBA consists of Phillip Island, a small (190 ha) uninhabited island located approximately 6 km south of Norfolk Island in the western Pacific Ocean. The climate is sub-tropical with temperatures ranging from 19 to 28°C in summer and 12 to 21°C in winter and an average 1328 mm of rainfall per year. Phillip Island is formed of volcanic rock (basaltic lava and tuff) overlaid by a scant and diminishing layer of topsoil. The surface of the island is mostly bare rock and earth, but the island does support a rapidly re-generating if still sparse vegetation comprising more than 60 species of native and introduced plants. Pigs, goats and rabbits were deliberately released on Phillip Island shortly after Norfolk Island was settled by the British in 1788. These species had a profound impact on the local fauna and flora and ecological integrity of the island; by the time the pig and goat populations died out (circa 1870), the island was severely denuded and the local seabird colonies were almost eliminated. In the ensuing decades, massive amounts of soil were lost through erosion. Since rabbits were eradicated from the island in the late 1980s, the extent of vegetation on the island has been increasing, aided by a restoration program undertaken by the Australian Government; by 2002, approximately 73% the island was covered with vegetation (Cogger et al. 2006). It now supports small populations of petrels which became extirpated from Norfolk Island from hunting and depredation by introduced mammals and are now otherwise restricted to single other islands. Visitation to Phillip Island is generally seasonal and limited. However the popularity of the island for recreation is increasing. Activities included rock-fishing, general sightseeing and limited private and commercial guided tours for special interest groups.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)

Additional biodiversity: Phillip Island is a breeding location for 13 species of seabird including current estimates of 10-100 pairs of Kermadec Petrel, 1000-10,000 pairs of Black-winged Petrel, 1000-10,000 pairs of Wedge-tailed Shearwater, 1-10 pairs of Flesh-footed Shearwater, 100-1000 pairs of Little Shearwater, 100-1000 pairs of Red-tailed Tropicbird (one of the largest breeding colonies of this species in Australia), 300 pairs of Masked Booby, 1000-10,000 pairs of Sooty Tern (eggs of this species are harvested by islanders during a legally sanctioned and regulated collecting season) and 100-1000 pairs of Black Noddy (D. Priddel and N. Carlile pers. comm. 2009). Two pairs of Australasian Gannet were breeding on the island in November 2006 (D. Priddel and N. Carlile pers. comm. 2009), with up to four pairs recorded previously (McKean et al. 1976; Moore 1999). No Common Noddy were observed on Phillip Island in early November 2006 (D. Priddel and N. Carlile pers. comm. 2009), but previous surveys have documented an estimated 100–1000 pairs (Tarburton 1981; Fullagar in Schodde et al. 1983; Hermes et al. 1986). Other species recorded on the island include Swamp Harrier, Nankeen Kestrel, Purple Swamphen, Rock Pigeon, Southern Boobook, Sacred Kingfisher, Eurasian Blackbird, Welcome Swallow, Silvereye, House Sparrow, European Greenfinch and European Goldfinch (D. Priddell and N. Carlile pers. comm. 2009). Non-bird biodiversity: The non-avian fauna of Phillip Island includes a suite of invertebrates (e.g. 25 species of springtail and a combined 76 species of butterfly and moth have been recorded on the island) and two species of reptile, these being the nationally vulnerable Lord Howe Island Gecko and Lord Howe Island Skink (Naumann 1990; Commonwealth of Australia 2000; Department of the Environment and Water Resources 2007).

Other site values: Administered by Australian Federal Government with management the responsibility of Parks Australia. Access is restricted, is by boat or helicopter and is generally only possible during calm conditions. Permission should be obtained from Parks Australia.

Delineation rationale: 2012-12-17 (BL Secretariat): original polygon clipped to hi-res coastline following identification in October 2012 of new marine IBA offshore this site; site area consequently changed from 188 ha to 192 ha.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)

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

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Continue to implement measures to mitigate soil erosion. Control or eradicate existing introduced species and problematic native species such as Purple Swamphen. Implement and enforce rigorous quarantine protocols to prevent the introduction of exotic fauna, flora or pathogens (particularly rats). Investigate effect of human disturbance on seabird populations.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Unspecified species	Ongoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Problematic native species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Other ecosystem modifications		Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Ongoing

Additional information

References: Brooke, M. (2004) Albatrosses and Petrels Across the World. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Cogger, H., Muir, G. and Shea, G. (2006) A survey of the terrestrial reptiles of Norfolk Island, March 2005: Report 2. A qualitative assessment of the relative abundance of the Norfolk and Lord Howe Island reptiles Christinus guentheri and Oligosoma lichenigera and comparison with previous surveys. Canberra: Department of the Environment and Heritage. Commonwealth of Australia (2008) Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden Plans of Management 2008-2018. Canberra: Environment Australia. Department of the Environment and Heritage (2003) Director of National Parks Annual Report 2001-02. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. Department of the Environment and Water Resources (2007). Phillip Island. Downloaded from http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/norfolk/phillip.html on 12 November 2007. Fullagar, P.J. (1978) Norfolk Island birds. Unpublished report. Hermes, N., Evans, O. and Evans, B. (1986) Norfolk Island birds: a review 1985. Notornis 33: 141-149. Norfolk Island Tourism (2005-2006). http://www.norfolkisland.com.au/ accessed November 2007. McKean, J.L., Evans, O. and Lewis, J.H. (1976) Notes on the birds of Norfolk Island. Notornis 23: 299-301. Moore, J.L. (1985) Norfolk Island notes 1968 to 1984. Notornis 32: 311-318. Moore, J.L. (1999) Norfolk Island Bird Notes, 1977 to 1997. Notornis 46: 354-364. Schodde, R., Fullagar, P. and Hermes, N. (1983) A Review of Norfolk Island Birds: Past and Present. Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service Special Publication 8. Tarburton, M.K. (1981) Seabirds nesting at Norfolk Island. Notornis 28: 209-219.