Key Biodiversity Areas

Vava'u Marine (31015)
Tonga, Oceania

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Vava'u Marine
Central coordinates: Latitude: -18.8650, Longitude: -174.0012
System: marine
Area of KBA (km2): 378.17449
Protected area coverage (%): 2.26
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


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.
Delineation rationale: The site boundary is based upon a seaward extension of 30 km around Maninita, Taula, Lualoli to encompass the foraging range of IBA threshold numbers of Black Noddy based upon a 2002 population estimate of 39,744 individuals.

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Marine Neritic100

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
PollutionIndustrial & military effluentsOil spillsOngoing
Climate change & severe weatherHabitat shifting & alterationOnly in the future