VA005
Ambae


Country/territory: Vanuatu

IBA criteria met: A1, A2 (2010)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here

Area: 15,396 ha


Site description (2010 baseline)
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.

Key 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.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ambae (Vanuatu). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ambae-iba-vanuatu on 22/11/2024.