Asuncion Island (24522)
Northern Mariana Islands (to USA), Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Asuncion Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 19.7167, Longitude: 145.6833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 857
Area of KBA (km2): 7.80337
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The proposed Asuncion Island IBA is an uninhabited island and free of introduced large mammals. Asuncion Island is protected by CNMI law. Asuncion maintains some of the largest stands of native forest in the Northern Islands.
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 entire island of Asuncion (Figure 17) is proposed as an IBA under A1 and A2 criteria. The island is home to Micronesian Megapodes, White-throated Ground-Doves, Micronesian Starlings, Collared Kingfishers, and Micronesian Honeyeaters. Non-bird biodiversity: Falanruw (1989) described Asuncion as being unique among the northern islands in having a native forest type, the main species of which was endemic. A common tree species is Terminalia rostrata, which in 1989 was only known from Asuncion. The island also harbors many coconut crabs. The island also provides habitat for the endangered skink Emoia slevini, which in 1989 was only known from Rota, Tinian, and Guam. In addition, Falanruw (1989) described Asuncion as providing the largest area of sheltered habitat for native, endemic, and endangered fauna in the northern islands.
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 740 ha to 976 ha.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Asuncion maintains some of the largest stands of native forest in the Northern Islands.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Rats are a threat. It is uninhabited and one of the few islands that is free of goats, pigs, and cattle (Falanruw, 1989).
| 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 |