Guam National Wildlife Refuge (24526)
Guam (to USA), Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Guam National Wildlife Refuge
Central coordinates: Latitude: 13.2500, Longitude: 144.7500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 200
Area of KBA (km2): 44.76839
Protected area coverage (%): 7.06
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Guam National Wildlife Refuge IBA contains several portions of the larger Guam National Wildlife Refuge, including the USFWS-owned Ritidian Point and much of the US Air Force Overlay Refuge. The IBA includes known populations of the Mariana Crow and a snake-free enclosure with Guam Rails.
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 IBA includes known populations of the Mariana Crow and a snake-free enclosure with Guam Rails. Micronesian Starlings were also observed in the IBA in 2005 (GDAWR, 2005). Additionally, the refuge is known to hold important habitat for the Guam subspecies of the Micronesian Kingfisher. Recovery plans for the kingfisher include reintroduction of the bird from captive breeding programs (USFWS, 2004b). Non-bird biodiversity: Additional species known to occur in the proposed IBA include (Wesley, 2007): • Mariana Fruit Bat • Moth Skink • Green Sea Turtles • Serianthes nelsonii • Native tree snails • Coconut crabs • Land crabs • Native skinks, geckos • Native insects
Other site values: The IBA is on land owned by the US Government, including the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the US Military.
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 3000 ha (non-GIS) to 4477 ha (GIS).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The IBA consists of a vegetated coastal plain and sheer limestone cliffs. Major habitat types in the IBA include coastal and back strand forest, limestone forest, and some savanna.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Control of the Brown Tree Snake remains the largest conservation concern. There is one small snake-free area. Expansion of military activities may pose additional threats as the US military continues to expand operations in Guam.
| 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 |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | War, civil unrest & military exercises | Only in the future |