Alofi (27468)
Wallis and Futuna Islands (to France), Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Alofi
Central coordinates: Latitude: -14.3554, Longitude: -178.0210
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 417
Area of KBA (km2): 17.41465
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Alofi is an almost uninhabited island (Pop'n of just 2 persons in 2005 census) that is located just 2km to the south east of Futuna by a channel. Although the island is still not populated, as there is no freshwater on the island, people from Futuna travel regularly to the island to manage their plantations. The proposed IBA covers the entire island, to the top of Mount Kolofau.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The vulnurable Shy Ground Dove has only been recorded from this island within Wallis and Futuna. A number of other restricted range species occurs in the territory, resulting in the island group being considered as a Secondary Area within the Endemic Bird Areas programme.
Delineation rationale: Currently whole island.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Increasing parts of the island are being burnt and cleared for plantations. No freshwater on the island, restricting current human habitation although forests on the island have been cleared repeatedly over time. Currently a degraded evergreen forest with patches of more natural vegetation.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Increasing levels of clearance and burning by islanders from neighbouring Futuna. No evidence of alien immigrants - although black rat has been recorded for the first time on Futuna in the last 10 years.