Swain Reefs


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2009 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
Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii LC resident - 25,000 individuals A4i

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2009) may differ.


IBA Conservation

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2009. The most recent assessment (2018) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2018 not assessed high not assessed
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset -

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Climate change and severe weather likely in long term (beyond 4 years) whole area/population (>90%) moderate to rapid deterioration high
Human intrusions and disturbance happening now some of area/population (10-49%) no or imperceptible deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas Management plan Other action Result
Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed not assessed

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation % overlap with IBA
1981 Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) 100
2004 Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park 63
2004 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 63
2004 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 30
2004 Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park 30
2004 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park 4
2004 Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park 4
2005 Swain Reefs National Park 100

Habitats

Habitat1 Habitat detail % of IBA
Marine Coastal/Supratidal 100
1. IUCN Habitat classification.

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research 100

Land ownership
Australian Federal Government with management the responsibility of GBRMPA.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Swain Reefs (Australia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/swain-reefs-iba-australia on 24/11/2024.