Key Biodiversity Areas

Mocha Island National Reserve (24752)
Chile, South America

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1aA1bA1eB1D1a
Year of last assessment: 2021
National site name: Reserva Nacional Isla Mocha
Central coordinates: Latitude: -38.3722, Longitude: -73.9113
Area of KBA (km2): 21.73523
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Isla Mocha National Reserve occurs on Isla Mocha, a small Chilean island approximately 48 km2 in area, located west of the coast of Arauco Province. The reserve provides habitat for the pudú and for a variety of birds, including the pink-footed shearwater. Typical vegetation includes Olivillo, Chilean Myrtle, Valdivia's Patagua, Chilean Laurel, Tepa and Winter's Bark. A small chain of mountains runs north-south.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the entire known population of the critically endangered amphibian Eupsophus insularis and the Pacific degu (Octodon pacificus). It also meets A1a, B1, and D1a for the Pink-footed Shearwater (Ardenna creatopus). Alliance for Zero Extinction (2022): site confirmed as an AZE site during the AZE project (2018-2022). Taxonomy, nomenclature and Red List category follow the IUCN 2021 Red List.
Additional biodiversity: Patagioenas araucana Ardenna creatopus Pteroptochos tarnii Scelorchilus rubecula Eugralla paradoxa Octodon pacificus
Other site values: Site is managed by the Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF) with an active management plan in place.
Delineation rationale: Delineation follows the WDPA boundary for Isla Mocha National Reserve.

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Forest50
Marine Coastal/Supratidal50

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Agriculture & aquacultureLivestock farming & ranchingSmall-holder grazing, ranching or farmingOngoing
Biological resource useLogging & wood harvestingMotivation Unknown/UnrecordedOngoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesInvasive non-native/alien species/diseasesNamed speciesUnknown
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesInvasive non-native/alien species/diseasesNamed speciesOngoing