Teraina (Washington Island) (27457)
Kiribati, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, B1, B2
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Teraina (Washington Island)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 4.6820, Longitude: -160.3800
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 14.47741
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Teraina is a low-lying coral island and the northernmost member of the Line Islands.
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 island has a seabird colony and also is part of the Northern Line Islands EBA, holding the highest numbers of Kiritimati Reed-Warbler in the EBA. Non-bird biodiversity: Green turtles nest in small numbers.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: A low-lying coral island with a substantial freshwater lake and surrounding marshlands. The lake waters are turgid and appear dark brown. Also found on the island are some peat bogs and swampy woodland dominated by coconut palms. The island is managed as a coconut plantation.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Rats, cats, dogs and pigs are present on the island - although the extent to which of these species if any impacts on the bird populations is unclear.