Central Savaii Rainforest (27481)
Samoa, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e, B2
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Central Savaii Rainforest
Central coordinates: Latitude: -13.6128, Longitude: -172.4165
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 1800
Area of KBA (km2): 812.50035
Protected area coverage (%): 13.30
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site is home to the largest diversity and population of birds in the country. It covers all the Savaii uplands above approximately 500m in elevation. This includes the Tuasivi Ridge, itself classed as a KBA and an AZE as the last site for the Samoan Moorhen.
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. Alliance for Zero Extinction (2018): site confirmed as an AZE site during the AZE project (2015-2018). Taxonomy, nomenclature and Red List category follow the IUCN 2016 Red List.
Additional biodiversity: Six separate surveys have been undertaken on part of the site, although there are large areas that have not been surveyed to date. The site is the only likely site for the Samoa Moorhen, a species not definitely recorded since 1873, although there were possible sightings in 1987. In adddition Samoan White-eye is recorded here, and nowhere else.
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 72699 ha to 76258 ha. 2015-10-20 (BL Secretariat): site boundary slightly extended to incorporate 'Savaii Lowland and Upland Forest' KBA of the 2007 CEPF Ecosystem Profile.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The majority of the site is indigenous rainforest with the only disturbance being from forest fires along the dry north western end and cyclones. A few land clearing for plantations forest replanting prorammes are the only known human disturbance to the site.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is threatened by logging along the lower slopes where millable timber can be found. A recent government policy directive stopping commercial logging operations could provide the necessary protection. The northwest side of the IBA is often threatened by forest fires during the dry season, while cyclones are always possible during the wet season.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Agro-industry plantations | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Only in the future |