Current view: Text account
Site description (2010 baseline):
Site location and context
The Bauro Highlands of central Makira contain some of the countries last extensive lowland forest tracts. The site stretches from the southern coastline of rocky cliffs inland to the montane forest on some of the islands highest peaks at 1200m.
13 island endemic species of which 11 were recently recorded in this site as well as 5 other globally threatened species. The 2 remaining, Makira Moorhen and thick-billed ground dove, haven't been seen for over 50 years.
Non-bird biodiversity: Five Restricted Range bats and a potential new species of endemic giant rat (Solomys sp).
2 spp of fig have been identified as being endemic.
A dramatic southern coastline of rocky cliffs reach inland to the montane forest on some of the island's highest peaks at 1200m, encompassing full transitional gradients of forest zones. The Raro and Warihito River catchments are bounded by steep-sided wide valleys, with numerous streams and waterfalls and small perched floodplains as high as 400m in elevation. While this spectacular landscape provides some of the most dramatic rainforest vistas in the Solomons, it is the area's unusual ecology, influenced by its separation from the rest of the Solomons archipelago by deep water which results in its international significance.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Logging
Population growth
Invasive species.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
There is significant WWF Solomons/AMNH-CI efforts to establish Community Conservation Agreements across much of this area.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: East Makira (Solomon Islands). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/east-makira-iba-solomon-islands on 22/11/2024.
