JP166Yaeyama islands

Site Description

Coastline ; Forest ; Wetlands (inland)

The site is located on the southernmost part of Nanseishoto island chain and comprises of inhabited islands, Ishigakijima, Iriomotejima, Kuroshima, Taketomijima, Kohamajima, Aragusukujima, Hatomajima, Haterumajima, Yonagunijima , and nearly 20 uninhabited islands. These islands and islets can be divided into those of undulating mountain terrains having rivers such as Ishigakijima and Iriomotejima, and other low and flat islands made of Ryukyu limestones such as Kuroshima and Taketomijima. The mountain terrains are mostly covered with evergreen broadleaf forest of Castanopsis cuspdata with many climbing plants and aerophytes, while valleys have an abundance of tropical plants such as Cyathea lepifera.

A variety of plants such as Ficus microcarpa grow in the lowland composed of Ryukyu limestone. Mangrove forests are seen in the wetlands near estuaries, while coral-bed seashores encircle the islands.

Area & Coordinates

58,345ha 24°20′N 123°50′E
region: Nansei Shoto Region, Okinawa

Category

A2, A4i

Designation Type

National Park, Wildlife Protection Area (government), Nature Consevation Area, National Monument, Wildlife Protection Area (Local), Ramsar Site,World Heritage Candidate

Protection Status

〇

Conservation issues

• Agricultural intensification/expansion
• Recreation/tourism
• Infrastructure
• Industrialization/urbanization
• Consequences of animal/plants/ introductions