JP159Yambaru, northern Okinawa forest

Site Description

Forest

Yambaru, which lies in the north of Okinawa Prefecture, and is an area covered with evergreen broadleaf forests, mainly of Castanopsis cuspdata, which belongs to Fagaceae family. Most of the area is mountainous, and covered with natural subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests that maintain rich diversity in biota. In particular, this area has many endemic species such as Okinawa Woodpecker, Okinawa Rail, and a species of frog. They are, however, under the threat of extinction by habitat degradation as well as attacks by mongoose and feral cats. Vast national forests of Yambaru are now used for U.S. military training exercise.

Area & Coordinates

37,000ha 26°41′N 128°11′E
region: Nansei Shoto Region, Okinawa

Designation Type

National Monument, Wildlife Protection Area (Local), World Heritage Candidate

Protection Status

Partially protected

Conservation issues

Agricultural intensification/expansion
Infrastructure
Deforestation
Consequences of animal/plants/ introductions
Other

Birds

Breeding resident

Sapheopipo noguchii, Erithacus komadori, Gallirallus okinawae, Scolopax mira, Columba janthina, Parus varius, Treron formosae, Otus scops, Otus semitorques, Parus major, Pericrocotus divaricatus tegimae

Breeding visitor

Halcyon coromanda bangsi, Terpsiphone atrocaudata illex

Winter visitor

Butastur indicus, Turdus pallidus, Emberiza spodocephala, Emberiza variabilis, Tarsiger cyanurus, Scolopax rusticola

Passage visitor

Accipiter soloensis