Current view: Text account
Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
The Yela River Watershed holds one of the finest examples of mature native Terminalia forest found in Micronesia (Engbring et al., 1990) and is the focus of numerous research and conservation programs. The Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization (KCSO) is active in working towards conservation of the site. Currently it is remote and most easily accessed by boat. The FSM NBSAP (2002) lists Yela-Okat Terminalia/Mangrove area as a potential conservation area. The Micronesia Conservation Trust (MCT, 2007) lists the area as a current conservation area.
Non-bird biodiversity: Conservation targets in the watershed include (NBSAP, 2002):
• Terminalia Swamp Forest
• Mangrove Forests
• Kosrae Flying Fox
• Low-elevation Broadleaf Forest
The Yela River Watershed holds one of the finest examples of mature native Terminalia forest found in Micronesia.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
While the area is currently inaccessible by vehicle and thus development is limited, there are varied plans to build a connecting road that would go through the watershed and open up the area to development.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The site is the focus of numerous research and conservation programs. The Kosrae Conservation and Safety Organization (KCSO) is active in working towards conservation of the site.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Yela River Watershed (Micronesia, Federated States of). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/yela-river-watershed-iba-micronesia-federated-states-of on 26/12/2024.
