Data Zone
Country/territory: Palau
IBA criteria met: A1, A2 (2008)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 1,891 hectares (18.91 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2018 | good | high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2008 baseline)
Priority sites were found throughout Peleliu, and thus the IBA was drawn to include the entire island. This IBA does not include the island of Ngedebus to the north. Peleliu is one of the two southernmost islands in the main Palau archipelago and has extensive flat lands surrounding steep ridges. Most of the flat areas are on the western coast. The island has the greatest concentration of mangrove habitat outside of Babeldaob. It is also famous for its WWII sites including Bloody Nose Ridge and Orange Beach, and the remaining tanks, guns, and other military structures scattered throughout the island. There are 700 people living in five villages in Peleliu. Most of the island is privately or clan owned. The mangroves are managed by the state.
Key biodiversity
Peleliu is notable because all but one of the restricted- range species were found during the national bird surveys in 2004 and 2005. In fact, during these surveys Peleliu had the highest number of bird species (diversity) and the highest number of individual birds recorded (abundance). Large numbers of migratory birds were seen as well. Forest birds were observed to be particularly abundant at Bloody Nose Ridge. Peleliu is one of two sites in Palau where the Giant White-eye was observed. The Giant White-eye was commonly found in the interior forests, however was not observed in the mangroves.
Non-bird biodiversity: The forests of Peleliu have shown significant recovery after WWII which left the island almost completely deforested. Today thriving secondary vegetation covers about 50% of the island. The remaining forested areas include limestone forest, swamp forest, Casuarina forest and mangroves (Cole et al. 1987). Fruit bats roost in the forests. Occasionally green and hawksbill turtles nest on Peleliu’s beaches, however, the eggs are often poached. Abandoned mining pits from the Japanese era serve as freshwater and saltwater habitats for birds and other important endangered species, such as the saltwater crocodile.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Peleliu (Palau). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/peleliu-iba-palau on 23/12/2024.