Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 1999 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crab-plover Dromas ardeola | LC | non-breeding (1996) | 800 birds | A4i |
| Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii | LC | breeding (1970) | 6,200 pairs | A4i |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 1999. The most recent assessment (2021) is shown below.
| IBA conservation assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2021 | poor | medium | low |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | habitat | good | |
| State (condition of the trigger species' habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Quantity (% remaining) | Quality (% carrying capacity) | Result |
| Marine Intertidal | moderate (70–90%) | moderate (70–90%) | poor |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Natural system modifications | likely in short term (<4 years) | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Pollution | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Climate change and severe weather | likely in short term (<4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Residential and commercial development | likely in long term (>4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Energy production and mining | likely in long term (>4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | no or slight decline (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Most of area (50–90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Some limited conservation initiatives are in place | low |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Kiunga | National Reserve (VI) | 84 |
| 1979 | Kiunga | UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (UA) | 100 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | major (>10) | |
| Forest | minor (<10) | Mangrove; Lowland forest - dry deciduous |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | minor (<10) | |
| Marine Intertidal | minor (<10) | |
| Savanna | minor (<10) | Bushland & thicket - deciduous |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| nature conservation and research | 100 |
| tourism/recreation | 100 |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kiunga Marine National Reserve (Kenya). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kiunga-marine-national-reserve-iba-kenya on 27/12/2024.