Suwarrow Atoll Marine (31020)
Cook Islands, Oceania
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Suwarrow Atoll Marine
Central coordinates: Latitude: -13.2428, Longitude: -163.1577
System: marine
Area of KBA (km2): 63048.49664
Protected area coverage (%): 99.78
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 140 km around Suwarrow Atoll National Park to encompass the foraging range of IBA threshold numbers of Lesser Frigatebird based upon a 2008 population estimate of 16,341 individuals from Jones, R. (2008) Suwarrow Seabird Survey: An assessment of the numbers and age-stages of seabird chicks on the motus of Suwarrow atoll during July 2008. Report Prepared for the Cook Islands Prime Ministers Office and Environment Service.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 100 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Oil spills | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future |