Penguin Point, Seymour Island (29409)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Penguin Point, Seymour Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -64.3005, Longitude: -56.7141
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 2.85068
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Penguin Point lies on the southeastern coastline of Seymour Island, east of James Ross Island. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the large concentration of seabirds present (in particular Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)) and comprises an area of 326 ha extending 1260 m inland from Penguin Point. Penguin Point is a sparsely vegetated area of ice-free ground with a gently sloping cobble beach that is frequently obstructed by ice (Naveen & Lynch 2011). The nearest permanent scientific station is Marambio (ARG), which lies ~8 km to the northeast. Marambio operates year-round with peak capacity for ~150 people and a winter complement of ~55 (COMNAP, Antarctic Facilities, accessed 19/08/2010).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: Based on a rough count, approximately 26 400 breeding pairs of Adélie Penguin were present at Penguin Point in 2006 (Naveen & Lynch 2011). More recently, Lynch et al. (2013) estimated ~16 015 pairs were present in 2009/10. Other confirmed breeders include South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki), Brown Skua (Catharacta antarctica), Kelp Gulls (Larus dominicanus) and Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata) (Naveen & Lynch 2011). Non-bird biodiversity: Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii) and Antarctic Fur (Arctocephalus gazella) seals regularly haul out at Penguin Point (Naveen 2003).
Delineation rationale: 1.26 km radius around point, truncated at coastline.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known.
Additional information
References: Lynch, H.J., Naveen, R. & Casanovas, P.V. 2013. Antarctic Site Inventory breeding bird survey data 1994 – 2013. Ecology (Data Paper) 94(11): 2653. doi: 10.1890/13-1108.1 Naveen, R. 2003. Compendium of Antarctic Peninsula visitor sites (2nd edition): A Report to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Oceanites, Chevy Chase, MD. 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.