Uruguay Island (29424)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Uruguay Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -65.2366, Longitude: -64.2253
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 0.38483
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Uruguay Island is part of the Argentine Island group in the Wilhelm Archipelago, ~6 km from the Graham Coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The island is ~1 km from north to south and ~500 m across. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Imperial Shag (Phalacrocorax [atriceps] bransfieldensis) colony present and includes all of Uruguay Island. Information on the environment of Uruguay Island is not available. The nearest scientific station is Vernadsky (UKR), located on Galindez Island ~1 km to the southwest. Vernadsky Station operates year-round and accommodates ~24 people in the summer (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Additional biodiversity: Approximately 134 pairs of Imperial Shag were breeding on Uruguay Island in 1986 (unpublished data S. Poncet pers. comm. 2005). Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: Island coastline where island is ≤ 5 km2.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Vernadsky Station (UKR), with associated operational and support activities, is located in close proximity to the IBA. Tourist vessels are also common in the region and often visit Vernadsky Station, although available data indicates that visits to Uruguay Island are infrequent.