Hope Bay (29411)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Hope Bay
Central coordinates: Latitude: -63.4056, Longitude: -57.0057
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 200
Area of KBA (km2): 2.03033
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Hope Bay is located on the northeastern coast of Trinity Peninsula. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the large Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony present and comprises ice-free ground on the eastern side of Hope Bay. The terrain comprises moraine with numerous rock outcrops, sloping towards the Scar Hills, which rise to ~200 m and fringe the Hope Bay shoreline. Mount Flora (ASPA No. 148), designated to protect geological features, lies several km to the southwest. Two permanent scientific stations, Esperanza (ARG) and Teniente de Navio Ruperto Elichiribehety (URY), are located at Hope Bay. Esperanza operates year-round and has capacity for ~90 people, whilst Elichiribehety operates summer-only with a capacity for 10 (COMNAP, Antarctic Facilities, accessed 09/08/2010). Meteorological records from Esperanza Station over the 1990s indicate January was the warmest month with an average temperature of 1.5°C, and August the coldest with temperatures averaging -11.2°C (ASPA No. 148 Management Plan, 2002).
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: Approximately 123 850 breeding pairs of Adélie Penguin were recorded at Hope Bay in 1985 (Myrcha, Tatur & Del Valle 1987). Other species that are confirmed breeders in the Hope Bay area are Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua), Brown Skua (Catharacta antarctica), Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata), Wilson's Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) and Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis albus) (ASPA No. 148 Management Plan, 2002). Non-bird biodiversity: None reported, although various species of marine mammal such as seals are likely to be present in the vicinity.
Delineation rationale: 1.26 km radius around point, truncated at coastline.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The scientific stations at Hope Bay are located in close proximity to the IBA. Because aircraft access to helicopter landing sites represents a potential conservation issue a preferred aircraft approach route avoiding the Adélie colony is indicated in the Management Plan for ASPA No. 148 Mount Flora. An average of 4502 ship-based tourists visit Hope Bay annually, and an average of 2116 visitors (inclusive of tourists, staff and crew) land annually at Esperanza Station (IAATO Tourism Statistics, 2005-10, accessed: 06/08/2010). Visits are managed by station personnel and tour operators. A small area ~1 km south of the IBA is designated an Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 148: Mount Flora, Hope Bay. The site is protected for its geological features and not for birds (ASPA No. 148 Management Plan, 2002).
Additional information
References: ASPA No. 148 Mount Flora, Hope Bay: Management Plan (2002). Myrcha, A., Tatur, A & Del Valle, R. 1987. Numbers of Adélie Penguins breeding at Hope Bay and Seymour Island rookeries (West Antarctica) in 1985. Polish Polar Research 8: 411-22.