Global IBA Criteria

A1. Globally threatened species

The site qualifies if it is known, estimated or thought to hold a population of a species categorized by the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. In general, the regular presence of a Critical or Endangered species, irrespective of population size, at a site may be sufficient for a site to qualify as an IBA. For Vulnerable species, the presence of more than threshold numbers at a site is necessary to trigger selection. Thresholds are set regionally, often on a species by species basis. The site may also qualify under this category if holds more than threshold numbers of other species of global conservation concern in the Near Threatened, Data Deficient and, formerly, in the no-longer recognised Conservation Dependent categories. Again, thresholds are set regionally.

A2. Restricted-range species

The site forms one of a set selected to ensure that, as far as possible, all restricted-range species of an EBA or SA are present in significant numbers in at least one site and, preferably, more. The term 'significant component' is intended to avoid selecting sites solely on the presence of one or more restricted range species that are common and adaptable within the EBA and, therefore, occur at other chosen sites. Sites may, however, be chosen for one or a few species that would, e.g. because of particular habitat requirements, be otherwise under-represented.

A3. Biome-restricted species

The site forms one of a set selected to ensure, as far as possible, adequate representation of all species restricted to a given biome, both across the biome as a whole and, as necessary, for all of its species in each range state. The 'significant component' term in the category definition is intended to avoid selecting sites solely on the presence of one or a few biome-restricted species that are common, widespread and adaptable within the biome and, therefore, occur at other chosen sites. Additional sites may, however, be chosen for the presence of one or a few species which would, e.g. for reasons of particular habitat requirements, be otherwise under-represented.

A4. Congregations

1. This applies to 'waterbird' species as defined by Delaney and Scott (2002) 'Waterbird Population Estimates' Third Edition, Wetlands International, Wagenigen, The Netherlands, and is modelled on criterion 6 of the Ramsar Convention for identifying wetlands of international importance. Depending upon how species are distributed, the 1% thresholds for the biogeographic populations may be taken directly from Delaney & Scott, they may be generated by combining flyway populations within a biogeographic region or, for those for which no quantitative thresholds are given, they are determined regionally or inter-regionally, as appropriate, using the best available information.
2. This includes those seabird species not covered by Delaney and Scott (2002). Quantitative data are taken from a variety of published and unpublished sources.
3. This is modelled on citerion 5 of the Ramsar Convention for identifying wetlands of international importance. Where quantitative data are good enough to permit the application of A4i and A4ii, the use of this criterion is discouraged.
4. The site is known or thought to exceed thresholds set for migratory species at bottleneck sites. Thresholds are set regionally or inter-regionally, as appropriate.