Okinawa
No.499 Sea Area and Estuaries of Southwestern Iriomote-jima Criteria for selection:1,2,3,5 Kuira-gawa Uchipanari-jima Nakawra-gawa City:C/Town:T/ Village:V Wetland type Biota Habitat Reason for selection Taketomi T Mangrove forests, Sandy shores, Seagrass beds, Coral reefs Marine turtles Sea area of southern Iriomote-jima Among the Yaeyama Islands, this sea area supports the greatest number of green turtle Chelonia mydas, which is known to feed on seagrass beds developed in the head of the bay endowed with nature. The south shores of Iriomote-jima (island), especially beaches known as Takahama and Wakarehama are the highest density spawning grounds of green turtle Chelonia mydas in the Nansei Islands. As there are no roads and villages in the vicinity, the areas are well endowed with nature. Reef flats extend far in the offing. Corals Sakiyama- wan Well endowed with nature. Rich in species diversity. Seagrasses Sakiyama- wan Pure communities of Enhalus acoroides. Seagrasses Amitori- wan Communities of Thalassia hemprichii, Cymodocea serrulata and Enhalus acoroides. Corals Amitori- wan Rich in species diversity, including rare species. Mangrove forests Ayanda- gawa Habitat of Kandelia candel, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Avicennia marina and Lunmitzrea racemosa. Rare distribution site of mangrove tree species. Geographically rare distribution site of mangrove forests. Representative and endemic distribution site of mangrove forest ecosystems. High diversity of mangrove forest ecosystems. Mangrove forests Udara- gawa Habitat of Kandelia candel, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Avicennia marina and Lunmitzrea racemosa. Rare distribution site of mangrove tree species. Geographically rare distribution site of mangrove forests. Representative and endemic distribution site of mangrove forest ecosystems. High diversity of mangrove forest ecosystems. Mangrove forests Kuira- gawa Habitat of Kandelia candel, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia marina and Lunmitzrea racemosa. Rare distribution site of mangrove tree species. Geographically rare distribution site of mangrove forests. Representative and endemic distribution site of mangrove forest ecosystems. High diversity of mangrove forest ecosystems. Mangrove forests Nakara- gawa Habitat of Kandelia candel, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Rhizophora mucronata, Avicennia marina and Lunmitzrea racemosa. Rare distribution site of mangrove tree species. Geographically rare distribution site of mangrove forests. Representative and endemic distribution site of mangrove forest ecosystems. High diversity of mangrove forest ecosystems. [ Back ]
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