Jameson Point, Low Island (29445)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Jameson Point, Low Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -63.2777, Longitude: -62.2525
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 0.21563
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Low Island is the southernmost of the South Shetland Islands, and is situated in the western region of Bransfield Strait. Jameson Point is a small headland that lies on the western coast of Low Island. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the concentration of seabirds present (in particular Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)) and includes the ice free area ~1 km north of Jameson Point. ASPA No. 152 Western Bransfield Strait covers the marine area adjacent to the west of Jameson Point, more information on which is available under IBA Cape Garry, Low Island. The IBA lies outside of the ASPA. The nearest permanent scientific stations to Jameson Point are Decepción (ARG) and Gabriel de Castilla (ESP), located ~80 km to the northeast at Deception Island. These summer-only stations have a combined capacity of 90 people.
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 20 000 to 35 000 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were breeding at Jameson Point in 1987 (Shuford & Spear 1988b). Information on other birds breeding in the area is not available. 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: ASPA No. 152 Western Bransfield Strait: Management Plan (2010). Shuford, W.D. & Spear, L.B. 1988b. Surveys of breeding Chinstrap Penguins in the South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. British Antarctic Survey Bulletin 81: 19-30.