Madder Cliffs, Joinville Island (29429)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Madder Cliffs, Joinville Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -63.2992, Longitude: -56.4798
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 0.54683
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Madder Cliffs lie at the northern entrance to Kinnes Cove at the western extremity of Joinville Island, Erebus and Terror Gulf. A rocky beach lies below scree and tuff ridges and cliffs, with the distinctive red rocks that give the site its name. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the concentration of seabirds present (in particular Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)) and comprises the ice-free area at Madder Cliffs. Snow algae and Prasiola crispa have been reported at the site (Naveen 2003). The nearest permanent scientific research stations are Petrel (ARG), Esperanza (ARG) and Teniente de Navio Ruperto Elichiribehety (URY), more information on which can be found under IBA D'Urville Monument, Joinville Island and IBA Hope Bay.
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: A rough estimate made in 2003 indicated around 20 000 – 25 000 pairs of Adélie Penguin breed at Madder Cliffs, located along exposed ridges and knolls above the beach (Naveen & Lynch 2011). Gentoo Penguins (Pygoscelis papua) also breed at the site and around 450 chicks were counted in 2005 (Lynch et al. 2008). Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) and Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis albus) are also confirmed breeders at the site (Naveen & Lynch 2011). 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.
Additional information
References: Lynch, H., Naveen, R. & Fagan, W. 2008. Censuses of Penguin, Blue-eyed Shag Phalacrocorax atriceps and Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus populations on the Antarctic Peninsula, 2001-2007. Marine Ornithology 36: 83-97. Naveen, R. 2003. Compendium of Antarctic Peninsula visitor sites (2nd edition): A Report to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Oceanites, Chevy Chase, MD. 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.