Eden Rocks (29398)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Eden Rocks
Central coordinates: Latitude: -63.4942, Longitude: -55.6854
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 90
Area of KBA (km2): 0.72728
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Eden Rocks lie 1.5 km from the eastern coast of Dundee Island, in the Erebus and Terror Gulf. The rocks were first charted in 1842 by James Clark Ross. IBA Paulet Island lies ~9 km to the southwest. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony present and comprises two rocks rising to around 90 m and the intervening sea. The nearest permanent scientific station is Petrel (ARG), a summer-only facility for up to ~55 people (COMNAP, Antarctic Facilities, accessed 06/08/2010) located ~30 km to the west on Dundee 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: Two large colonies of Adélie Penguin were recorded breeding on Eden Rocks in 1996, with approximately 20 000 pairs in the west colony and 26 750 pairs in the east colony (total between 44 249 and 49 460 pairs) (Naveen et al. 2000). Other confirmed breeders in the area include Cape Petrel (Daption capense) and skua (Catharacta spp.). Occasional visitors include Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus), Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis albus), Wilson's Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) and Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) (Naveen & Lynch 2011). Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: Shortest perimeter around island groups and/or ice-free areas ≤ 5 km2, including marine areas as appropriate.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Visitor landings at Eden Rocks are difficult due to the surrounding uncharted waters and variable ice conditions (Naveen & Lynch 2011). Visits to the site are infrequent and human disturbance is expected to be minimal.
Additional information
References: Naveen, R., Forrest, S. C., Dagit, R. G., Blight, L. K., Trivelpiece, W. Z. & Trivelpiece, S. G. 2000. Cenus of penguin, blue-eyed shag, and southern giant petrel populations in the Antarctic Peninsula region, 1994-2000. Polar Record 36: 323-34. Naveen, R. & Lynch, H. 2011. Compendium of Antarctic Peninsula visitor sites (3rd edition): A Report to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Oceanites, Chevy Chase, MD.