Ambae (27486)
Vanuatu, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B2
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Ambae
Central coordinates: Latitude: -15.3770, Longitude: 167.8410
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 1496
Area of KBA (km2): 153.95989
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The island of Ambae is a massive shield volcano and the summit is largely deforested above 1400 m as a result of ongoing volcanic activity. There are numerous villages on the lower and middle slopes of Ambae, up to about 500 m. The upper slopes have wet rainforest in the north and east and drier forests on the other side of the island, in the rain shadow area. The island rises to 1496 metres at Mt. Lombenben with another notable peak, Mt Voutnavouele, being 954m asl. Last eruption occurred in 2005.
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. KBA identified by the 2012 CEPF East Melanesia Ecosystem Profile process. Taxonomy and threat status follow the 2011 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: The upland area of the island is a stronghold for Palm lorikeet and a regular site for rusty-winged starling. Non-bird biodiversity: The Duviara Conservation Area contains 12 endemic plants and an endemic freshwater fish. Conservation status of these species is not known.
Other site values: The conservation area is owned by Paul Vuhu.
Delineation rationale: Boundary ill-defined. Currently considering the 500m lower altitudinal limit but this needs further work.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Much of the summit and upper slope region is covered in dense, arborescent scrub, with occasional groves of trees or tree islands and scattered emergent trees. This represents a variously disturbed, primarily successional type of rainforest, a result of various eruptions over the years. Further down the slope the scrub changes to medium stature forest.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Ambae is quite densely populated, although people mostly live at sea level and the highest gardens are no more than 600 or 700m. Volcanic eruptions and cyclones provide ongoing natural threats. There is no information on the presence of any invasive species.