Point W of Walker Point, Elephant Island (29420)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Point W of Walker Point, Elephant Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -61.1557, Longitude: -54.7553
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 0.30678
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A small unnamed point located 2.7 km southwest of Walker Point, on the southeastern coast of Elephant Island. The point has been unofficially referred to as ‘Chinstrap Camp' (Croxall & Kirkwood 1979; Furse 1979). The IBA qualifies on the basis of the concentration of seabirds present (in particular Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)) and comprises all of the ice free area at this point. No information is available on the environment specific to the point known as ‘Chinstrap Camp'. See ANT032 for more information on the general features, vegetation and meteorology of Elephant Island. There are no research stations in the vicinity, with the nearest ~220 km southwest at King George Island.
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: Approximately 24 480 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were breeding at ‘Chinstrap Camp' in 1971 (Croxall & Kirkwood 1979). See IBA ANT032 for information on other birds observed in the Elephant Island area. Non-bird biodiversity: Southern Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina) and Antarctic Fur Seals (Arctocephalus gazella) have been recorded at other locations on Elephant Island (Naveen & Lynch 2011).
Delineation rationale: If ice-free area is ≤ 5 km2 then ice-free area is used as boundary.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known.
Additional information
References: Croxall, J.P. & Kirkwood, E.D. 1979. The distribution of penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula and Islands of the Scotia Sea. British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge. Furse J.R. 1979. Elephant Island: an Antarctic expedition. Anthony Nelson, Shrewsbury. 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.