Half Moon Island (29441)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Half Moon Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -62.5901, Longitude: -59.9182
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 1.5065
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Half Moon Island is a rocky island lying in Moon Bay, 2 km north of Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands. Raised cobble beaches line the south and central shorelines, while steep scree slopes lead to a low summit at the north of the island. East-facing slopes are typically snow-covered. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki) colony present and comprises the entire island. Several moss and lichen species and the native Antarctic Hairgrass (Deschampsia antarctica) are found on Half Moon Island (ATS Visitor Site Guidelines, Half Moon Island). Cámara Station (ARG) (summer-only) is located in the southern part of Half Moon Island and has capacity for ~36 people (COMNAP, Antarctic Facilities, accessed 24/08/2010).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: South Polar Skua breed at several locations on Half Moon Island, mostly in the north, with 103 pairs recorded in the 1995-96 (Garcia Esponda et al. 2000). Approximately 2094 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) were breeding on the island in December 2012 (Lynch et al. 2013). Antarctic Terns (Sterna vittata) nest in rocky outcrops and 125 breeding pairs were recorded in 1995/96, along with 39 pairs of Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) (Garcia Esponda et al. 2000). Wilson's Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) also breed, with 377 pairs in 1995/96. Other birds breeding in low numbers include the Imperial Shag (Phalacrocorax [atriceps] bransfieldensis), Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis albus), Cape Petrel (Daption capense), Brown Skua (Catharacta antarctica) and Black-bellied Storm-petrel (Fregetta tropica) (Garcia Esponda et al. 2000). Non-bird biodiversity: Weddell Seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) and Antarctic Fur Seals (Arctocephalus gazella) are regularly observed at local beaches (ATS Visitor Site Guidelines Half Moon Island; Naveen & Lynch 2011).
Delineation rationale: Island coastline where island is ≤ 5 km2.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Cámara Station (ARG) operates in close proximity to local breeding wildlife. Half Moon Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Antarctic Peninsula region, with 9760 tourists landing ashore in the 2009/10 season (IAATO Tourism Statistics, accessed: 06/08/2010). There is evidence of damage to soils and vegetation and concern that visitors may disturb wildlife or damage breeding burrows (ATS Visitor Site Guidelines, Half Moon Island). Tourism is supervised by expedition staff and station personnel.
Additional information
References: Antarctic Treaty System Visitor Site Guidelines: Half Moon Island: URL: http://www.ats.aq/siteguidelines/documents/Half_moon_e.pdf. Accessed: 06/08/2010. Garcia Esponda, C.M.G., Coria, N.R. & Montalti, D. 2000. Breeding birds at Halfmoon Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, 1995/96. Marine Ornithology 28: 59-62. Lynch, H.J., Naveen, R. & Casanovas, P.V. 2013. Antarctic Site Inventory breeding bird survey data 1994 – 2013. Ecology (Data Paper) 94(11): 2653. doi: 10.1890/13-1108.1