Prince Leopold Island (11267)
Canada, North America
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Prince Leopold Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 74.0278, Longitude: -90.0702
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 265
Area of KBA (km2): 306.82551
Protected area coverage (%): 99.99
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Prince Leopold Island is located approximately 13 km off the northeastern tip of Somerset Island at the junction of Prince Regent Inlet and Barrow Strait. The perimeter of the island is characterized by vertical cliffs of sandstone and limestone that rise in elevation 245 to 265 m above sea level. Other topographic features include scree slopes, numerous ledges where the seabirds nest, and gravel spits. The vegetation is sparse and characterized by mosses, lichens, grasses, and a few dwarf shrubs. Several Inuit archaeological sites are located on the island.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Prince Leopold Island supports a major seabird colony that includes the second largest breeding congregation of Northern Fulmars in Canada. Approximately 20% of the Canadian Northern Fulmar population, as much as 11% of the western Atlantic Black-legged Kittiwake population, over 1% of the north Atlantic Thick-billed Murre population, and over 1% of the global Black Guillemot population are found at Prince Leopold Island. Combined the total number of pairs of seabirds at this colony is almost 200,000 pairs. Other species known to breed on the island include Atlantic Brant, Common Raven, Common Eider, Parasitic Jaeger, Glaucous Gull, and Snow Bunting. The seabirds generally occupy the site from early May to the end of September.
Delineation rationale: 2011-06-06 (BL Secretariat): site area updated from 31100 ha to 32000 ha, following GIS analysis of site polygon by Bird Studies Canada (J. Moore & S. Marquez in litt. 2009). Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach to marine IBAs.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 |