Abariranga (Canton) Island (27453)
Kiribati, Oceania

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2012

National site name: Abariranga (Canton) Island

Central coordinates: Latitude: -2.8178, Longitude: -171.6802

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 10

Area of KBA (km²): 11.32197

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Regional

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Abariringa Island forms a single strip of land surrounding a lagoon, broken only by one passage. It is the largest of the Phoenix Islands and the only one that is, currently, inhabited.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.

Additional biodiversity: The island is a seabird breeding island.

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 900 ha to 1132 ha.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: The land is sparsely vegetated with low grasses and herbs, with a few stands of taller shrubs.

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Invasive species pose a threat. Pacific Rats, Cats and Dogs were present on the island in 1983. Human disturbance is likely to have declined as the number of people present on the island has decreased.

Additional information