Alamagan Island (24523)
Northern Mariana Islands (to USA), Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, B2
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Alamagan Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.6000, Longitude: 145.8333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 774
Area of KBA (km2): 12.800344
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The proposed Alamagan Island IBA is one of only two islands with extant populations of Nightingale Reed Warblers. The interior of the island has steep slopes cut by steep ravines; other areas are grassland or bare lava flows.
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 entire island of Alamagan (Figure 18) is proposed as an IBA under A1 and A2 criteria, specifically for its population of Nightingale Reed Warblers. The island is also home to Micronesian Megapodes, White-throated Ground-Doves, Collared Kingfishers, Micronesian Starlings, and Micronesian Honeyeaters. Currently, populations of Nightingale Reed Warblers are found only on Saipan and Alamagan (DFW, 2007a), with approximately 100 pairs residing on Alamagan. Although Micronesian Megapodes and Nightingale Reed-Warblers prefer to use forested areas, the entire island is proposed as an IBA due to its small size.
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 1100 ha to 1520 ha.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The island is inhabited and development poses a threat. Rats are a threat.
| 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 |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future |