Key Biodiversity Areas

Phoenix Islands Marine (31023)
Kiribati, Oceania

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1cD1a
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Phoenix Islands Marine
Central coordinates: Latitude: -3.4120, Longitude: -170.8982
System: marine
Area of KBA (km2): 83912.38184
Protected area coverage (%): 96.00
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 Enderbury Island to encompass the foraging range of IBA threshold numbers of Lesser Frigatebird based upon a 2006 population estimate of 12,000 individuals and high use areas close to the colony of IBA threshold numbers of Red-tailed Tropicbird based upon a 2006 population estimate of 1,500 individuals, a seaward extension of 11.5 km around Abariranga (Canton) Island to encompass the foraging range of IBA threshold numbers of Grey-backed Tern based upon a 2006 population estimate of 6,000 individuals and a seaward extension of 140 km around Rawaki (Phoenix Island) to encompass the foraging range of IBA threshold numbers of Lesser Frigatebird based upon a 2006 population estimate of 12,900 individuals - all population estimates from Pierce, R., Etei, T., Kerr, V., Saul, E., Teatata, A., Thorsen, M. and Wragg, G. (2006) Phoenix Island conservation survey and assessment of restoration feasibility: Kiribati.

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Marine Neritic100

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
PollutionIndustrial & military effluentsOil spillsOngoing
PollutionExcess energyLight pollutionOngoing
Climate change & severe weatherHabitat shifting & alterationOnly in the future
PollutionGarbage & solid wasteOngoing