Current view: Text account
Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
Wolouna islet is one of the islets in Ahnd Atoll, somewhat removed from other islets. The islet is privately owned and protected by the landowner. The entire Ahnd Atoll is listed as a potential conservation area in the FSM NBSAP (2002). The Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT, 2007) lists the terrestrial areas of Ahnd Atoll as current conservation areas. The area has also been the subject of a Feasibility Study as part of the Pacific Invasives Initiative (ISSG, 2007). Rat eradication may occur after local capacity has been built.
The population of Black Noddies is estimated at over 15,000 individuals, with at least two records of 6,000 nests. Engbring et al. (1990) noted that at least 7 of Pohnpei’s 11 resident seabirds nest on Wolouna, and of those, five are known to nest solely on Wolouna.
Non-bird biodiversity: Conservation targets (NBSAP, 2002) include:
• Coconut Crab
• Pacific Hawksbill Turtle
• Pohnpei Flying Fox
Conservation targets (NBSAP, 2002) include:
• Atoll nearshore marine
• Atoll Forest-Beach Strand Complex
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Buden (1996b) writes that subsistence hunting may have only a minimal impact on the seabird population, but that increasing numbers of recreational visitors and exploitive hunters may pose a future threat. Although the island is protected by the landowner, access is not fully regulated and there are occasional reports of unauthorized visits (Engbring et al., 1990). Invasive rats pose
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The area has also been the subject of a Feasibility Study as part of the Pacific Invasives Initiative (ISSG, 2007). Rat eradication may occur after local capacity has been built.
The islet is privately owned and protected by the landowner.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Wolouna, Ahnd Atoll (Micronesia, Federated States of). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/wolouna-ahnd-atoll-iba-micronesia-federated-states-of on 23/12/2024.
