MP010
Guguan Island


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2012 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 List1 Season Year(s) Size IBA criteria
Micronesian Scrubfowl Megapodius laperouse NT resident - present A1, A2
White-throated Ground Dove Pampusana xanthonura NT resident - present A1, A2
Sooty Tern Onychoprion fuscatus LC non-breeding 1979-1988 37,655 individuals A4i
Grey-backed Tern Onychoprion lunatus LC breeding 1979-1988 1,200 breeding pairs A4i
Micronesian Myzomela Myzomela rubratra LC resident - present A2
Micronesian Starling Aplonis opaca LC resident - present A2
A4iii Species group - waterbirds n/a unknown 1979-1988 40,273 individuals A4iii

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2012) may differ.


IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2012. The most recent assessment (2012) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2012 not assessed high medium
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes population poor

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Species Reference Actual Units % remaining Result
A4iii Species group - waterbirds 40,273 40,273 individuals 100 not assessed

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Geological events likely in long term (beyond 4 years) majority/most of area/population (50-90%) very rapid to severe deterioration high
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happening now whole area/population (>90%) no or imperceptible deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive Some limited conservation initiatives are in place medium

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
- Guguan Island Preserve 97
1985 Guguan Island Preserve 100


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