Rosenthal Islands (29423)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2026
National site name: Rosenthal Islands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -64.6101, Longitude: -64.2335
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 110.69074
Protected area coverage (%): 0.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This coastal site, in the waters of Antarctica has been identified for trigger species: Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua). Species use the site during the life-cycle stage(s) of: breeding. The Rosenthal Islands group comprises approximately 80 small islands, the largest of which is Gerlache Island, which rises to ~100 m in height and is approximately 2.5 km by 1.2 km in size. The smaller islands are all <100 m in height, and generally <500 m across. Gerlache Island is mostly covered by a permanent ice cap, while the smaller islands are generally ice-free. A number of promontories extend from the adjacent Anvers Island coastline, and many of these are also partly ice-free. The ice-free ground provides habitat suitable for breeding birds and vegetation (predominantly mosses and lichens). The ASPA and KBA boundaries extend ~8 km south of the main Rosenthal Islands group to include ~35 ice-free islands and peninsulas that also host breeding birds. The islands and peninsulas within the region are generally rocky, rugged and exposed, with the more seaward islands tending to be steeper and with shorelines that are inaccessible to all but flying birds. The coastlines are irregular, with numerous offshore islets and rocks, most of which are uncharted. A number of islands and peninsulas close to Anvers Island are of more gentle topography and have more accessible coastlines, making them suitable for penguins to establish colonies. No meteorological data are available for the Rosenthal Islands, although at nearby Palmer Station the mean annual temperature was –1.8° C between 2010-17, with an average monthly air temperature in August of –5.94° C, and in January 1.72° C. The nearest permanent scientific station is Palmer (USA), situated ~20 km to the east at Arthur Harbour, southern Anvers Island. See KBA Cormorant Island for more information on Palmer Station and local climate. Because the site is in the waters of Antarctica, CCAMLR (Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) is the authority that can implement management measures for the site.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: The assessment for this site is for 1 species, with species evaluated under KBA criterion D1a . Species, their 2026 IUCN Red List Status, and criteria include: Pygoscelis papua, LC (D1a).
Additional biodiversity: Recent counts, since 2012/13, have covered only selected islands, although show large numbers of Gentoo penguins continue to breed in the area. In addition to the Gentoo penguin, at least seven other species of bird breed in the Rosenthal Islands: Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica), Southern Giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus), Antarctic tern (Sterna vittata), Imperial shag (Leucocarbo atriceps bransfieldensis), Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) and South Polar skua (Stercorarius maccormicki). Wilson’s Storm petrels (Oceanites oceanicus) are common and probable breeders. Snowy sheathbills (Chionis alba) are present in small numbers at penguin and shag colonies, and although nesting has not been observed may also breed in the Area. Snow petrels (Pagodroma nivea) are common although are not known to breed in the area. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals such as Elephant (Mirounga leonina), Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii) and Antarctic fur (Arctocephalus gazella) seals may haul out on accessible beaches. The vegetation of the Rosenthal Islands has yet to be described in detail, although several species of mosses and lichens have been identified on the islands where habitat suitable for vegetation is relatively scarce because of the intensive occupation by breeding penguins. Vegetation appears to be more widespread on islands yet to be surveyed. The two Antarctic flowering plants, the grass Deschampsia antarctica and the pearlwort Colobanthus quitensis, are probably present based on their colonisation of nearby islands. Several species of invertebrates colonise ice-free areas within the island group (Gantz et al., 2018).
Manageability of the site: This site is significantly smaller than the large MPA (Ross Sea Region MPA; ID: 555624810) already designated by the authority that manages these waters (CCAMLR, Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources). Despite its large size, the Ross Sea Region MPA is considered to be a manageable unit because the authority that manages these waters has closed 80% of the MPA area to commercial fishing. Therefore, similarly this site serves as a manageable unit because it is a valuable spatial layer for marine spatial planning in the seas that surround Antarctica. At the time of this site assessment, concerns for CCAMLR include the risks to biodiversity given climate change and a growing demand for marine living resources. A key aim of CCAMLR is to minimize the risks associated with these pressures through the conservation and rational use of marine resources within the Southern Ocean. Conservation actions that support the persistence of biodiversity at this site will help CCAMLR to achieve its aims. Similar conservation measures, like the designation of the much larger Ross Sea Region MPA, are feasible for this site.
Other site values: International area managed under the framework of the Antarctic Treaty System. Access to the site is prohibited except by permit issued by an appropriate national authority for scientific or management purposes. Tourism and recreational visits are prohibited.
Delineation rationale: Site boundary enlarged in January 2020, to align with the proposed ‘Rosenthal Islands’ ASPA (Antarctic Specially Protected Area) boundary. The Area encompasses the Rosenthal Islands group, including the adjacent Anvers Island coastline and a number of nearby coastal islands and ice-free peninsulas, extending from the northern boundary at 64°33'S southwards for approximately 16 km. The boundary includes the lower icefields on Anvers Island within 1 km of the coastline, the marine area up to 1 km seaward from the outer shores of the Rosenthal Islands, and the embayment immediately south of the Rosenthal Islands. The area encompasses all of the islands within the Rosenthal group where prolific wildlife is concentrated. The Area is ~9 km across at its widest point, and encompasses a total area of 111 km2.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Uninhabited wilderness, extremely remote and difficult to access. Proposed to be designated as Antarctic Specially Protected Area No.? Rosenthal Islands.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The IBA shares the boundary of an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) proposed for designation under the Antarctic Treaty System (designation had to be deferred when the 2020 Antarctic Treaty meeting was cancelled and will be considered in 2021). The ASPA provides a Management Plan to coordinate activities in the region. The Management Plan prohibits entry to the ASPA except by a permit issued by a national authority for compelling scientific and management reasons. Tourism, recreation and overflights of <2000 ft (~610 m) are prohibited from the area. More information on the regional environment and scientific programmes, and the broad conservation issues can be found in the Management Plan for the ASPA, and also for ASMA (Antarctic Specially Managed Area) No. 7.
Additional information
References: Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) No.? Rosenthal Islands: Management Plan (2020). Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) No. 7 Southwest Anvers Island and Palmer Basin: Management Plan (2019). Fraser, W.R., Farry, S., McAtee, C., Cook, B., Roberts, D. and Greto, C. 2016. A survey of the Rosenthal Islands during LMG Cruise 16-01. Unpublished report submitted to the Division of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA. Gantz, J.D., Spacht, D.E. & Lee, R.E. 2018. A preliminary survey of the terrestrial arthropods of the Rosenthal Islands, Antarctica. Polar Research 37(1). Palmer LTER project URL: http://pal.lternet.edu/ accessed: 08/01/2020. Poncet, S. & Poncet, J. 1987. Censuses of penguin populations of the Antarctic Peninsula, 1983-87. British Antarctic Survey Bulletin 77: 109-29. Vicknair, K., Lewis, M., Chin, A., Holloway, C., Mowatt, J., Moret, S. & Dalberth, M. 2015. Rosenthal Island Report from LMG 15-05. Unpublished ASC Report, Centennial, CO.
Contributors: Bill Fraser and Donna Patterson-Fraser, Polar Oceans Research Group, Montana, USA. Polly Penhale, Office of Polar Programs, US National Science Foundation. Colin Harris, Environmental Research & Assessment, Cambridge, UK.
Biodiversity data layers contributing to this site were developed through expert consultation evidenced in: Harris, C.M., Lorenz, K., Fishpool, L.D.C., Lascelles, B., Cooper, J., Croxall, J.P., Emmerson, L.M., Fijn, R., Fraser, W.L., Jouventin, P., LaRue, M.A., Le Maho, Y., Lynch, H.J., Naveen, R., Patterson-Fraser, D.L., Peter, H.-U., Poncet, S., Phillips, R.A., Southwell, C.J., van Franeker, J.A., Weimerskirch, H., Wienecke, B., & Woehler, E.J. 2015. Important Bird Areas in Antarctica 2015 Summary. BirdLife International and Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd., Cambridge.