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Site description (2007 baseline):

The proposed Asuncion Island IBA is an uninhabited island and free of introduced large mammals. Asuncion Island is protected by CNMI law. Asuncion maintains some of the largest stands of native forest in the Northern Islands.

The entire island of Asuncion (Figure 17) is proposed as an IBA under A1 and A2 criteria. The island is home to Micronesian Megapodes, White-throated Ground-Doves, Micronesian Starlings, Collared Kingfishers, and Micronesian Honeyeaters.

Non-bird biodiversity: Falanruw (1989) described Asuncion as being unique among the northern islands in having a native forest type, the main species of which was endemic. A common tree species is Terminalia rostrata, which in 1989 was only known from Asuncion. The island also harbors many coconut crabs. The island also provides habitat for the endangered skink Emoia slevini, which in 1989 was only known from Rota, Tinian, and Guam. In addition, Falanruw (1989) described Asuncion as providing the largest area of sheltered habitat for native, endemic, and endangered fauna in the northern islands.

Asuncion maintains some of the largest stands of native forest in the Northern Islands.

Rats are a threat. It is uninhabited and one of the few islands that is free of goats, pigs, and cattle (Falanruw, 1989).

Formally and fully protected as Wildlife Conservation Area by the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW, 2007

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Asuncion Island (Northern Mariana Islands (to USA)). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/asuncion-island-iba-northern-mariana-islands-(to-usa) on 23/11/2024.