Dahl Web Site
ISLAND DIRECTORY
Islands of Cook Islands
Aitutaki [1213]
Group: Archipelago: Southern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 16
Lat: 18.88º S Long : 159.74º W
Area: 16.5 sq. km Altitude: 124 m
Shoreline: 24.1 km (scale 1:250000) Coastal Index: 1.4606
Submerged area <100 m: 0 sq. km Reef area: 0 sq. km Lagoon area: 66 sq. km
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 100 km group: 700 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 5000 km Isolation Index: 107
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic, almost atoll Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Volcanic island to one side of large lagoon which is silting up (mostly
under
4.5 m, maximum 10.5 m depth), 13 low coral islands (2.2 km}) on
triangular
reef
CLIMATE: tropical rainfall 1900 mm
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 4 Marine: 4
Lowland rain forest, disturbed lowland vegetation; coconuts and scrub on
coral
islets; fringing reef, barrier reef 600-1000 m wide, lagoon with patch
reefs
(CRD) Forest
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Rept/Amphib |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Marine life:
28 coral genera
Birds:
Vini peruviana (Tahiti Lorikeet) introduced, Rare (RDB)
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 2
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 2
Marine life:
Trochus introduced 1952
trials in 1980's with Tridacna derasa, Turbo marmoratus, and Eucheuma
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 2904 (1960) Density: 176.0 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.1%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: agriculture, tourism,, fishing and aquaculture
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Much of land cleared for agriculture
Habitat: scattered villages Urban Pop: 0 Urban Indicator: 0
Accessibility: airport
Conservation support: legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: good Data Rel. Indicator: 3
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 7
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 7 Moderate
CI-Marine: 4 Low
REFERENCES:
Good SPOT satellite images of Aititaki (Lubersac et al., in
press)
Last updated: 06/05/89
Atiu [1216]
Group: Archipelago: Southern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 16
Lat: 19.99º S Long : 158.10º W
Area: 29.1 sq. km Altitude: 71 m
Shoreline: 20.8 km (scale 1:250000) Coastal Index: 0.7148
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 80 km group: 400 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 4500 km Isolation Index: 96
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic and raised coral Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Central volcanic plateau surrounded by raised coral, low relief
CLIMATE: wet tropical
WATER BALANCE: ample water
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 4 Marine: 1
Rain forest, freshwater marsh between volcanic plateau and limestone,
limestone caves; narrow fringing reef, reef flat absent on north coast
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Rept/Amphib |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
2 |
0 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Marine life:
19 coral genera
Birds:
Collocalia sawtelli (Cook Islands or Atiu Swiftlet) group endemic
Halcyon venerata ssp. (Atiu Kingfisher) endemic subspecies
Ptilinopus rarotongensis ssp. (Rarotonga Fruit Dove) endemic
subspecies
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 1 Group: 1
2 endemic birds
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
limestone caves with Atiu Swiftlet "Kopeka"
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 1404 (1960) Density: 48.2 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.1%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: pineapples
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Agricultural development on volcanic plateau with soil erosion
Conservation support: legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: little Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 1
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 7 Moderate
CI-Marine: 2 Low
REFERENCES:
Last updated: 07/05/89
Mangaia [1217]
Group: Archipelago: Southern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 16
Lat: 21.94º S Long : 157.90º W
Area: 34.5 sq. km Altitude: 169 m
Shoreline: 22.8 km (scale 1:250000) Coastal Index: 0.6609
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 200 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 4500 km Isolation Index: 106
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic and raised coral Natural Protection Indicator: 1
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Low volcanic hills in centre surrounded by raised coral 30-90 m high,
lake
CLIMATE: wet tropical 1922 mm
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 4 Marine: 1
Freshwater marsh between volcanic and limestone; narrow
fringing reef with terrace at 30-40 m depth
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Rept/Amphib |
6 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
2 |
0 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Reptiles/amphibians:
6 lizards
Marine life:
28 coral genera
Birds:
2 species, Porzana roa and Gallirallus ripleyi, became
extinct in prehistoric times (within the last 1000 years)
Acrocephalus vaughani ssp. (Pitcairn Reed Warbler) endemic subspecies
Halcyon [venerata] rufficollaris* (Mangaia Kingfisher) endemic
[subspecies]
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 1 Group: 1
2 birds
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
freshwater Lake Tiriara
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 2
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 1364 (1981) Density: 39.5 persons/sq. km
Maximum known population: 2097
Growth Rate: 1.1%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: pineapples
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Population has declined since 1960s; settlement on limestone, volcanic
area
intensively cultivated for pineapples; soil erosion
Conservation support: legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: partial Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 3
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 8 Moderate
CI-Marine: 3 Low
REFERENCES:
Last updated: 07/05/89
Manihiki [1862]
Group: Archipelago: Northern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 15
Lat: 10.40º S Long : 161. 2º W
Area: 5.2 sq. km Altitude: ? m
Land < 5 m elevation: 5.2 sq. km Sea level rise risk: 9
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 50 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 5000 km Isolation Index: 102
ISLAND TYPE: atoll with 2 main islets Natural Protection Indicator: 0
CLIMATE: wet tropical ave. rainfall 2482 mm
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 3
Atoll scrub; windward and leeward atoll reefs, lagoon with pearl oysters
(CRD)
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
none
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 1
green/hawksbill turtle nesting
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 1
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 1089 (1960) Density: 209.4 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.1%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: coconuts, pearl shell fishery
Conservation support: legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: little Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 7
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 2 Low
CI-Marine: 4 Low
Last updated: 06/05/89
Manuae (Hervey, Au-o-to, Te Au O Tu) - including Au-o-to (Te Au O Tu) [1207]
Group: Hervey Islands Archipelago: Southern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 16
Lat: 19.26º S Long : 158.91º W
Area: 7.4 sq. km Altitude: ? m
Shoreline: 23.1 km (scale 1:250000) Coastal Index: 3.1216
Land < 5 m elevation: 7.4 sq. km Sea level rise risk: 9
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 120 km group: 700 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 5000 km Isolation Index: 108
ISLAND TYPE: atoll with 2 islets Natural Protection Indicator: 2
CLIMATE: tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 3
Coconuts, windward and leeward atoll reef and lagoon
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
turtle nesting area
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited, visited occasionally, formerly inhabited
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Major Human Activities: coconut plantations
Conservation support: legislation, government support
DATA RELIABILITY: partial Data Rel. Indicator: 2
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 4 Low
CI-Marine: 5 Moderate
Last updated: 06/05/89
Mauke (Parry) [1214]
Group: Archipelago: Southern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 16
Lat: 20.15º S Long : 157.35º W
Area: 19.7 sq. km Altitude: 30 m
Shoreline: 16.8 km (scale 1:250000) Coastal Index: 0.8528
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 30 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 4500 km Isolation Index: 97
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic and raised coral Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Low volcanic centre surrounded by raised coral
CLIMATE: wet tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 3 Marine: 1
Lowland rain forest with Calophyllum and Thespesia, coconuts, freshwater
swamp
between volcanics and limestone; fringing reef 50-100 m wide, mostly
rock
pavement with little coral cover, gentle outer reef slope to 8-15 m,
then
steep to 80 m Forest
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Rept/Amphib |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Birds:
Halcyon venerata ssp. (Mauke Kingfisher) endemic subspecies
Marine life:
32 coral genera
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 1 Group: 1
1 bird
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 2
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 866 (1960) Density: 44.0 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.1%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: agriculture
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Agricultural development
Conservation support: legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: little Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 3
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 7 Moderate
CI-Marine: 2 Low
REFERENCES:
Last updated: 07/05/89
Mitiaro [1215]
Group: Archipelago: Southern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 16
Lat: 19.86º S Long : 157.70º W
Area: 22.8 sq. km Altitude: ? m
Shoreline: 18.1 km (scale 1:250000) Coastal Index: 0.7939
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 30 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 4500 km Isolation Index: 97
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic and raised coral Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Low volcanic centre surrounded by raised coral, central lake surrounded
by
peat soil deposits
CLIMATE: wet tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 3 Marine: 1
Limestone forest, freshwater marsh, lake; narrow fringing reef Forest
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Rept/Amphib |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Plants:
Santalum insulare mitiaro (Mitiaro Sandalwood) endemic variety small
population
Freshwater life:
Endemic eel in lake
Marine life:
23 coral genera
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 1 Group: 1
endemic plant, eel in lake
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
lake in centre of island with endemic eel
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 2
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 334 (1960) Density: 14.6 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.1%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: agriculture
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Proposals to mine peat for energy or export apparently not feasible
Conservation support: legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: little Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 2
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 8 Moderate
CI-Marine: 2 Low
REFERENCES:
Last updated: 07/05/89
Nassau [1864]
Group: Archipelago: Northern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands: Pacific
Lat: 11.55º SLong: 165.42º W Region: Oceania 15
Area: 1.2 sq. km Altitude: ? m
ISLAND TYPE: low coral
Palmerston (Avarau) [1866]
Group: Archipelago: Southern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 16
Lat: 18.07º S Long : 163.17º W
Area: 2.6 sq. km Altitude: ? m
Land < 5 m elevation: 2.6 sq. km Sea level rise risk: 9
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 400 km group: 800 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 4400 km Isolation Index: 115
ISLAND TYPE: atoll with over 8 islets Natural Protection Indicator: 1
CLIMATE: tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 3
Atoll forest and scrub, coconuts; windward and leeward atoll reef,
lagoon
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
none
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
major green turtle nesting area
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 1
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 102 (1960) Density: 39.2 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.1%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: coconuts, subsistence fishing
Conservation support: legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: little Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 2
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 3 Low
CI-Marine: 4 Low
Last updated: 06/05/89
Penrhyn (Tongareva) [1860]
Group: Archipelago: Northern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 15
Lat: 9.00º S Long : 158.00º W
Area: 9.8 sq. km Altitude: ? m
Land < 5 m elevation: 9.8 sq. km Sea level rise risk: 9
Depth to nearest land: 5000 m
Nearest island: 300 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 5000 km Isolation Index: 113
ISLAND TYPE: atoll with many islets Natural Protection Indicator: 0
CLIMATE: tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 3
Atoll scrub; windward and leeward atoll reefs, lagoon with pearl oysters
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
none
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
green/hawksbill turtle nesting
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 1
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 649 (1960) Density: 66.2 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.1%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: coconuts, subsistence fishing
Accessibility: airport
Conservation support: legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: little Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 3
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 2 Low
CI-Marine: 3 Low
Last updated: 06/05/89
Pukapuka [1863]
Group: Archipelago: Northern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 15
Lat: 10.88º S Long : 165.82º W
Area: 7.0 sq. km Altitude: 4 m
Land < 5 m elevation: 7.0 sq. km Sea level rise risk: 9
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 20 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 5000 km Isolation Index: 100
ISLAND TYPE: atoll Natural Protection Indicator: 0
CLIMATE: wet tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 3 Marine: 3
Some Pisonia atoll forest on Motu Ko, atoll scrub; windward and leeward
atoll
reefs, lagoon (CRD)
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
none
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 1
seabird rookeries, green/hawksbill turtle nesting
Motu Kotawa and Motu Ko with seabirds
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 1
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 780 (1980) Density: 111.4 persons/sq. km
Maximum known population: 800
Growth Rate: 1.1%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: coconuts
Conservation support: legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: little Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 3 Low
CI-Marine: 4 Low
Last updated: 06/05/89
Rakahanga [1861]
Group: Archipelago: Northern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 15
Lat: 10. 5º S Long : 161.10º W
Area: 4.0 sq. km Altitude: ? m
Land < 5 m elevation: 4.0 sq. km Sea level rise risk: 9
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 50 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 5000 km Isolation Index: 102
ISLAND TYPE: atoll with 2 main islets Natural Protection Indicator: 0
CLIMATE: tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 3
Remains of atoll forest; windward and leeward atoll reefs, recently
closed
lagoon
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
none
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 1
green turtle nesting area
lagoon going through ecological changes from open to closed type
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 1
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited
Population: 368 (1960) Density: 92.0 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.1%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: coconuts, subsistence fishing
Conservation support: legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: little Data Rel. Indicator: 1
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 2 Low
CI-Marine: 4 Low
Last updated: 06/05/89
Rarotonga [1218]
Group: Archipelago: Southern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 16
Lat: 21.23º S Long : 159.78º W
Area: 67.6 sq. km Altitude: 653 m
Shoreline: 33.7 km (scale 1:100000) Coastal Index: 0.4985
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 200 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 4500 km Isolation Index: 106
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic, some raised coral Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
High volcanic with rugged eroded centre of peaks and ridges, and level
lowland
about 1 km wide with swampy inner area and some raised coral.
CLIMATE: wet tropical 20.8-27øC, 2040 mm
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones, fires
Threat Indicator: 2
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 8 Marine: 2
Homalium montane-slope forest, Fagraea-Fitchia ridge forest,
Metrosideros
cloud forest; Dicranopteria fernlands on degraded lower slopes;
disturbed
lowland vegetation; freshwater marshes and streams; tidal salt marsh;
fringing
reef 200 m wide on west and north, 400 m on south, 1000 m on east; some
shallow lagoon. Forest
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
560 |
20 |
0 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
13 |
0 |
11 |
| Rept/Amphib |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
3 |
2 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Plants:
560 vascular plant species, including 20 endemics
Other invertebrates:
13 endodontid land snails, of which 2 remained in 1965
Marine life:
57 scleractinian coral species in 41 genera
Birds:
Acrocephalus kerearako, group endemic
Aplonis cinerascens (Rarotonga Starling) endemic, 100+ (1985),
decreasing
Collocalia sawtelli (Cook Islands or Atiu Swiftlet) group endemic
Pomarea dimidiata (Rarotonga Flycatcher, Kakerori) endemic, 35(1988)
down to
28(1989) variable, Vulnerable (RDB)
Ptilinopus rarotongensis ssp. (Rarotonga Fruit Dove) endemic
subspecies,
common
SPECIES RICHNESS:
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 2
moderate
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 2 Group: 2
moderate
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 2
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited, capital at Avarua
Population: 9477 (1981) Density: 140.2 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 1.1%/yr Increasing slowly
Major Human Activities: agriculture, tourism
HUMAN IMPACTS:
High population in narrow coastal lowland, agricultural and
tourism development, soil erosion; reefs largely degraded
Habitat: villages and coastal strip Urban Pop: 0 Urban Indicator: 0
Accessibility: port, airport Annual tourist arrivals: 32000
Conservation support: legislation, government support
DATA RELIABILITY: good Data Rel. Indicator: 3
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 10
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 11 Moderate
CI-Marine: 7 Moderate
REFERENCES:
Nunn, Patrick D. 1988. Potential impacts of projected sea-level rise
on
Pacific Island states (Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga and Western
Samoa): a preliminary report. In: Interim report on potential impacts
of
greenhouse gas generated climate change and projected sea-level rise
on
Pacific Island states of the SPREP region. UNEP(OCA)/WG.2/20
Last updated: 07/05/89
Suwarrow (Suvorov, Suvarov) [1865]
Group: Archipelago: Northern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 15
Lat: 13.25º S Long : 163.08º W
Area: 1.7 sq. km Altitude: 3 m
Land < 5 m elevation: 1.7 sq. km Sea level rise risk: 9
Submerged area <100 m: 0 sq. km Reef area: 0 sq. km Lagoon area: 133 sq. km
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 350 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 5000 km Isolation Index: 114
ISLAND TYPE: atoll with over 25 islets Natural Protection Indicator: 4
CLIMATE: tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 3
Wet atoll forest, coconuts; windward and leeward atoll reef, open lagoon
(CRD)
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
none
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
seabird rookery, turtle nesting area
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 1
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited, occasionally inhabited
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Major Human Activities: national park
Conservation support: legislation, tenure, government support
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 7 Marine: 0
Number: 1 Area: Terrestrial: 1.7 sq. km Marine: 0 sq. km
DATA RELIABILITY: partial Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 1
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 7 Moderate
CI-Marine: 7 Moderate
Last updated: 06/05/89
Takutea [1206]
Group: Archipelago: Southern Cook Islands
Country: Cook Islands Region: Oceania 16
Lat: 19.81º S Long : 158.28º W
Area: 1.3 sq. km Altitude: ? m
Shoreline: 4.7 km (scale 1:250000) Coastal Index: 3.6154
Land < 5 m elevation: 1.3 sq. km Sea level rise risk: 9
Depth to nearest land: 4000 m
Nearest island: 50 km group: 600 km
Nearest continent: Australia Distance: 4500 km Isolation Index: 99
ISLAND TYPE: low coral Natural Protection Indicator: 2
CLIMATE: tropical
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: cyclones
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 1
Fringing reef
Percent shoreline: Coral Reef: 99% Mangrove: 0%
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
seabird rookery, turtle nesting area
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited, visited occasionally
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Major Human Activities: coconut plantations
Conservation support: legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: little Data Rel. Indicator: 1
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 5 Low
CI-Marine: 4 Low
Last updated: 07/05/89
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