Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
Alofi is an almost uninhabited island (Pop'n of just 2 persons in 2005 census) that is located just 2km to the south east of Futuna by a channel. Although the island is still not populated, as there is no freshwater on the island, people from Futuna travel regularly to the island to manage their plantations. The proposed IBA covers the entire island, to the top of Mount Kolofau.
The vulnurable Shy Ground Dove has only been recorded from this island within Wallis and Futuna. A number of other restricted range species occurs in the territory, resulting in the island group being considered as a Secondary Area within the Endemic Bird Areas programme.
Increasing parts of the island are being burnt and cleared for plantations. No freshwater on the island, restricting current human habitation although forests on the island have been cleared repeatedly over time. Currently a degraded evergreen forest with patches of more natural vegetation.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Increasing levels of clearance and burning by islanders from neighbouring Futuna. No evidence of alien immigrants - although black rat has been recorded for the first time on Futuna in the last 10 years.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Surveys of the island were undertaken in 1985/1986
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Alofi (Wallis and Futuna Islands (to France)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/alofi-iba-wallis-and-futuna-islands-(to-france) on 25/11/2024.
