Wilson Reef (Great Barrier Reef)


IBA Justification

The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation 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 List Season (year/s of estimate) Size IBA criteria
Brown Booby Sula leucogaster LC resident (1995–1997) 1,000–1,400 nests A4ii

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 (2008) is shown below.

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment State Pressure Response
2008 not assessed high not assessed
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset medium

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Climate change and severe weather likely in long term (>4 years) whole of popul­ation/area (>90%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Human intrusions and disturbance happe­ning now whole of popul­ation/area (>90%) 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
Not assessed Not assessed Not assessed not assessed

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
1981 Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) (UA) 100
2004 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (II) 96
2004 Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (II) 96

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Marine Coastal/Supratidal 100

Land use

Land use % of IBA
nature conservation and research 100

Land ownership
Australian Federal Government with management the responsibility of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wilson Reef (Great Barrier Reef) (Australia). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wilson-reef-(great-barrier-reef)-iba-australia on 23/12/2024.