Sarigan Island (24525)
Northern Mariana Islands (to USA), Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Sarigan Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 16.7000, Longitude: 145.7833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 301
Area of KBA (km2): 4.26491
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The proposed Sarigan Island IBA consistently harbours a relatively large population of Micronesian Megapodes, with up to 50% of the CNMI’s total megapode population. Sarigan is uninhabited and feral ungulates were removed from the island in 2000. The island serves as a mitigation site for military use of the Farallon de Medinilla. Vegetation on the island has returned rapidly since ungulate eradication.
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 Sarigan is proposed as an IBA under A1 and A2 criteria. Sarigan has a large population of Micronesian Megapodes and may consistently harbour 50% of the total CNMI megapode population (Marshall, pers. comm.). The island is also home to White-throated Ground-Doves and has a small population of Grey Backed Terns, which are rare in the CNMI, as well as Micronesian Starlings, Collared Kingfishers, and Micronesian Honeyeaters. A small population of Common Buzzards was present on Sarigan (Reichel et al., 1994) during surveys in the 1980s and 1990s.
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 400 ha to 578 ha.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Sarigan is uninhabited.
Threats
| 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 |