Ashmore Reef


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2009 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:
Species Red List Season (year/s of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Lesser Frigatebird Fregata ariel LC resident (2001–2006) 2,300 birds A4ii
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster LC resident (2001–2006) 4,800 birds A4ii
Grey-tailed Tattler Tringa brevipes LC non-breeding (1998–2006) 85–1,706 birds A4i

IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2009. The most recent assessment (2008) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2008 not assessed high not assessed
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset good

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) high
Human intrusions and disturbance happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) high
Climate change and severe weather likely in long term (>4 years) whole of popul­ation/area (>90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning Action Result
Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed not assessed

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
1983 Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve (Ia) 100
2004 Ashmore Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve (II) 94
2004 Ashmore Reef Commonwealth Marine Reserve (II) 6

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Marine Intertidal major (>10)
Marine Neritic major (>10)
Shrubland minor (<10)

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research 100

Land ownership
Federal Government - managed by Department of the Environment and Water Resources.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Ashmore Reef (Australia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/ashmore-reef-iba-australia on 23/12/2024.