Wolouna, Ahnd Atoll (24533)
Micronesia, Federated States of, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Wolouna, Ahnd Atoll
Central coordinates: Latitude: 6.7722, Longitude: 157.9582
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 4
Area of KBA (km2): 0.06556
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Wolouna islet is one of the islets in Ahnd Atoll, somewhat removed from other islets. The islet is privately owned and protected by the landowner. The entire Ahnd Atoll is listed as a potential conservation area in the FSM NBSAP (2002). The Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT, 2007) lists the terrestrial areas of Ahnd Atoll as current conservation areas. The area has also been the subject of a Feasibility Study as part of the Pacific Invasives Initiative (ISSG, 2007). Rat eradication may occur after local capacity has been built.
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 population of Black Noddies is estimated at over 15,000 individuals, with at least two records of 6,000 nests. Engbring et al. (1990) noted that at least 7 of Pohnpei’s 11 resident seabirds nest on Wolouna, and of those, five are known to nest solely on Wolouna. Non-bird biodiversity: Conservation targets (NBSAP, 2002) include: • Coconut Crab • Pacific Hawksbill Turtle • Pohnpei Flying Fox
Other site values: The islet is privately owned and protected by the landowner.
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 3 ha (Global Islands Database) to 7 ha (new, GIS-based).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Conservation targets (NBSAP, 2002) include: • Atoll nearshore marine • Atoll Forest-Beach Strand Complex
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Buden (1996b) writes that subsistence hunting may have only a minimal impact on the seabird population, but that increasing numbers of recreational visitors and exploitive hunters may pose a future threat. Although the island is protected by the landowner, access is not fully regulated and there are occasional reports of unauthorized visits (Engbring et al., 1990). Invasive rats pose
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Only in the future |