Mount Elder, Elephant Island (29446)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Mount Elder, Elephant Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -61.2313, Longitude: -55.1546
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 1.83605
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mount Elder (~940 m) is located at southwestern Elephant Island. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the concentration of seabirds present (in particular Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)) and comprises a low-lying ice-free shoreline extending 4 km along the coastline, ~4 km east of Mount Elder No information is available pertaining to the environment specific the area of the IBA. See ANT032 for more information on the general features, vegetation and meteorology of Elephant Island. There are no research stations in the vicinity, with the nearest ~200 km to the southwest at King George Island.
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 14 960 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were breeding in two main groups at this site in 1971 (Croxall & Kirkwood 1979). Approximately 10 810 pairs were breeding at the northern site and 4150 pairs in the south. See IBA ANT032 for information on other birds observed in the Elephant Island area. Non-bird biodiversity: Southern Elephant Seals (Mirounga leonina) and Antarctic Fur Seals (Arctocephalus gazella) have been recorded at other locations on Elephant Island (Naveen & Lynch 2011).
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: Croxall, J.P. & Kirkwood, E.D. 1979. The distribution of penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula and Islands of the Scotia Sea. British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge. 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.