Barnard Point, Livingston Island (29455)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Barnard Point, Livingston Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -62.7559, Longitude: -60.3244
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 1.56069
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Barnard Point lies at the southern extremity of Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands. The ice-free area rises to over 250 m in the east where it meets the permanent ice cap. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the concentration of seabirds present (in particular Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)) and comprises the coastal part of the ice-free area at Barnard Point. The nearest permanent scientific stations are Juan Carlos I (ESP), a summer-only facility with capacity for ~25 personnel, and Ohridiski (BGR), with capacity for 12 people, located on Hurd Peninsula ~11 km to the northwest (COMNAP, Antarctic Facilities, accessed 10/05/2011). No meteorological records are available for Barnard Point, although the climate is expected to be similar to that of Base Juan Carlos I, more information on which can be found under IBA Byers Peninsula, Livingston 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 13 000 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin and 600 pairs of Gentoo Penguin ( Pygoscelis papua ) were breeding at Barnard Point in 1987 (S. & J. Poncet pers. comm., cited in Woehler 1993). A small number of Southern Giant Petrels ( Macronectes giganteus ) breed at Barnard Point, estimated at 30 breeding pairs in 1986 (Patterson et al. 2008). Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: 1.26 km radius around point, truncated at coastline.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Juan Carlos I and Ohridiski stations, with accompanying local operational support by ships and aircraft, are in close proximity to Barnard Point. However, overland and sea access to the site are relatively difficult from these stations, so it is anticipated that relatively few visits are made by station personnel. False Bay is regularly visited by tourists, with visits made in 7 of the 10 seasons from 2004-14, with a total of 10 vessels averaging 287 passengers per vessel. However, few landings were made, with only three over this period and averaging 53 visitors per landing (IAATO Tourism Statistics, accessed: 06/05/2015). Disturbance by visitors is thus expected to be low.
Additional information
References: Patterson, D.L., Woehler, E.J., Croxall, J.P., Cooper, J., Poncet, S., Peter, H.-U., Hunter, S. & Fraser, W.R. 2008. Breeding distribution and population status of the Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes halli and the Southern Giant Petrel M. giganteus. Marine Ornithology 36: 115-124. Woehler, E.J. (ed.) 1993. The distribution and abundance of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic penguins. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research. Cambridge, UK.