Cape Robertson, Laurie Island (29462)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Cape Robertson, Laurie Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -60.7256, Longitude: -44.7917
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 3.83639
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Cape Robertson is an ice free point rising to over 250 m located on the western coast of Laurie Island, at the northern extremity of the Mackenzie Peninsula. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the concentration of seabirds present (in particular Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)) present, and extends from Cape Robertson to a coastal headland 1 km south of Cape Roca on the southern coastline of Laurie Island. The nearest research station is Orcadas (ARG) which is located less than 5 km to the southeast of the IBA. Orcadas operates year-round with around 45 personnel present in summer and 14 in winter (COMNAP, Antarctic Facilities, accessed 01/09/2010).
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Additional biodiversity: Approximately 19 745 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were breeding at Cape Robertson in 1994 (unpublished data N. Coria, compiled by E. Woehler pers. comm. 2004)), with a further 1300 pairs breeding along the coast between Cape Robertson and Cape Roca, and ~1900 pairs breeding at Cape Roca itself (Poncet & Poncet 1985). 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: Orcadas Station (ARG), with associated operational and support activities, is located in close proximity to the IBA.
Additional information
References: Poncet, S. & Poncet, J. 1985. A survey of penguin breeding populations at the South Orkney Islands, Antarctica. British Antarctic Survey Bulletin 68: 71-81.