McKean Island (27447)
Kiribati, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: McKean Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -3.5955, Longitude: -174.1228
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 0.56445
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: McKean Island is a low and flat, circular-shaped, coral island surrounded by a fringing reef.
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: A seabird colony with good numbers of a range of species.During the 1960s McLean Island was one of the flagship islands of the Phoenix group, supporting diverse and important populations of seabirds
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 47 ha to 56 ha.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The island is a reef-fringed, essentially sea-level or very slightly elevated emergent coral reef, with accumulations of coral or algal debris and some phosphate from seabird droppings.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Recent accidental introduction of Asian Rats is correlated with a decline in seabird numbers, and evidence of reduced seabird productivity, on the island.
| 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 |
Additional information
References: http://www.phoenixislands.org/species.html Pierce et al 2006. Phoenix Islands Conservation Survey and Assessment of Restoration of Feasibility: Kiribati. Unpublished report to Conservation International, Samoa and Pacific Islands Initiative. King WB (ed) 1967 Pelagic Studies of Seabirds in the Central and Eastern Pacific Ocean. Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, No 158, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington.