Cape Whitson, Laurie Island (29425)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Cape Whitson, Laurie Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -60.7497, Longitude: -44.5306
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 0.43995
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Cape Whitson is located on the southern coast of Laurie Island, South Orkney Islands, and lies between Aitken Cove and Methuen Cove. The peninsula extends ~1.5 km in length by ~0.5 km across and its elevation is <250 m. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the concentration of seabirds present (in particular Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)) and comprises the ice-free terrain of the headland at Cape Whitson. The nearest permanent scientific station is Orcadas (ARG), located ~9 km to the northwest. Orcadas operates year-round with around 45 personnel present in summer and 14 in winter (COMNAP, Antarctic Facilities, accessed 01/09/2010).
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biodiversity: Approximately 12 755 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were recorded breeding at Cape Whitson in 1994 (unpublished data N. Coria, compiled by E. Woehler pers. comm. 2004)). Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
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.