Key Biodiversity Areas

Cape Wollaston, Trinity Island (29453)
Antarctica, Antarctica

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Cape Wollaston, Trinity Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -63.6757, Longitude: -60.8019
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 1.41021
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Cape Wollaston rises to ~250 m at the northwestern extremity of Trinity Island, Palmer Archipelago, ~40 km from the Davis Coast of the Antarctic Peninsula. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Southern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides) colony present and comprises the ice-free area of Cape Woolaston, Megaptera Island and the intervening marine area. The nearest permanent scientific station is Primavera (ARG), located ~53 km to the south.
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: An estimated 10 000 pairs of Southern Fulmar breed on the cliffs and offshore islands around Cape Wollaston, Megaptera Island and northwestern Trinity Island (Poncet & Poncet, unpublished data, cited in Creuwels et al. 2007). Cape Petrel (Daption capense) and Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) have also been observed at Cape Wollaston (unpublished data S. Poncet pers. comm. 2005). Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: Shortest perimeter around island groups and/or ice-free areas ≤ 5 km2, including marine areas as appropriate.

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known.

Additional information

References: Creuwels, J.C.S., Poncet, S., Hodum, P.J. & van Franeker, J.A. 2007. Distribution and abundance of the Southern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialoides. Polar Biology 30: 1083–97.