Pohnpei Watershed Forest Reserve (24528)
Micronesia, Federated States of, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e, B2
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Pohnpei Watershed Forest Reserve
Central coordinates: Latitude: 6.8858, Longitude: 158.2210
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 400 to 790
Area of KBA (km2): 103.27834
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The proposed Pohnpei Watershed Forest Reserve IBA is contiguous with the Pohnpei Watershed Forest Reserve. The Reserve is legislated under the 1987 Pohnpei Watershed and Mangrove Act (CSP, 2007). Much of the boundary has been delineated and monitoring takes place in ecologically sensitive areas of the watershed. Conservation activities to lesson intrusion into the watershed, particularly by agroforestry, are also undertaken. The Conservation Society of Pohnpei is working with the State Invasive Species Task force to eradicate invasive species.
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. Alliance for Zero Extinction (2018): site confirmed as an AZE site during the AZE project (2015-2018). Taxonomy, nomenclature and Red List category follow the IUCN 2016 Red List.
Additional biodiversity: Non-bird biodiversity: The FSM NBSAP (2002) lists the area as containing a number of conservation targets, including: • Pohnpei Island Skink • Pacific Sheath-tailed Bat • Pohnpei Flying Fox • Musa tikap
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The FSM NBSAP (2002) lists the area as containing a number of conservation targets, including: • Montane Cloud Forests • Upland Broadleaf Forest • Low-Elevation Broadleaf Forest • Clinostigma Palm Forest • Ivory Nut Palm Forest • Fern/Sedge Savanna, Montane Perched Freshwater Swamp
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Clearing and habitat removal (usually for agroforestry) remain threats, but are declining with increasing conservation activity (CSP, 2007). Rats have been suspected in the decline of the Pohnpei Mountain Starling, which may be extinct or nearing extinction. Other invasive species may pose a problem.
| 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 |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Agro-industry plantations | Ongoing |