Mili Atoll (24513)
Marshall Islands, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Mili Atoll
Central coordinates: Latitude: 6.0916, Longitude: 171.7320
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 20.17359
Protected area coverage (%): 3.29
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A set of islets in the Northwest corner, including Nallu (Nallo, Alu), Garu, Bwokwanaelok, Alu, Autle, Bikoro, and Etwa for the proposed IBA. Nallu islet is inhabited with 200+ people. The atoll is recognized for its seabird rookeries, although the populations of the rookeries are not available.
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: The Northwest corner of Mili Atoll, (Figure 3), in the Ratik chain, was selected as an IBA because it is one of the only confirmed records of the Micronesian Pigeon, ratakensis subspecies. While not endemic at the species level, the bird is endemic at the subspecies level. The Pigeon is also listed on the IUCN Red List as Near Threatened. Non-bird biodiversity: Baseline data on Nallu islet itself is lacking. The NBT (2000) lists the atoll as being home to Sonneratia mangrove wetlands. CI (2007) lists the atoll as a hotspot for its diverse and abundant marine resources, seabird rookeries (populations unknown), and freshwater resources. Mili atoll is listed as a Micronesia-Polynesia Hotspot (CI, 2007) for its reef communities
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 100 ha (non-GIS) to 5877 ha (GIS). 2015-10-20 (BL Secretariat): IBA includes the KBA 'Mili Atoll Nature Conservancy' (CEPF Ecosystem Profile 2007).
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The islet is inhabited, so overuse, hunting, clearing, and introduction of invasive species are threats. Sea temperature rise causing possible coral bleaching is a threat to the atoll.