Larsen Islands / Moreton Point (29465)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Larsen Islands / Moreton Point
Central coordinates: Latitude: -60.5981, Longitude: -46.0614
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 15.80323
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Larsen Islands and Moreton Point lie along the western coast of Coronation Island. The Larsen Islands comprise Spine Island, Nicolas Rocks and Monroe Island, the latter being the largest in the group. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica) colonies present and the high concentration of seabirds (in particular Chinstrap Penguin and Southern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialoides)). The IBA includes the ice-free area at Moreton Point, all of the Larsen Islands, an adjacent ice-free area on the northwestern coast of Coronation island, and the intervening marine area. The nearest research station is Signy (GBR), located 27 km southeast of the IBA. See IBA Signy Island for information on the environment and facilities at this station.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Data on some bird species breeding within the IBA are available only in aggregate. Approximately 23 000 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were recorded breeding on Moreton Point and a further 1200 pairs in small colonies north of Moreton Point in 1984 (Poncet & Poncet 1985). Approximately 28 000 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were recorded breeding on the eastern and northern shorelines of Monroe Island and on Spine Island in 1984 (Poncet & Poncet 1985). Approximately 10 000 breeding pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were also recorded in three colonies on Nicolas Rocks in 1984 (Poncet & Poncet 1985). [Nicolas Rocks were referred to erroneously as Larsen Islands in Poncet & Poncet 1985]. The total Chinstrap Penguin population reported by Poncet & Poncet (1985) in this area was ~62 200 pairs. More recently, approximately 125 000 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were estimated breeding on Moreton Point and Monroe Island based on a survey from a ship anchored in Sandefjord Bay, with birds nesting on 'every available surface' (H. Lynch pers. comm. 2010). An estimated 5000 – 10 000 Southern Fulmars breed on the northern and eastern coasts of Monroe Island, and Ardley (1936) estimated approximately 25 000 nests along the western coast of Coronation Island. Snow Petrels ( Pagodroma nivea ) are confirmed breeders in Sandefjord Bay (Croxall et al . 1995). More than 5000 pairs of Cape Petrels ( Daption capense ) were estimated to breed in this area by Ardley (1936) in 1933. Non-bird biodiversity: Antarctic Fur Seals (Arctocephalus gazella) occupy beaches in the vicinity in summer.
Delineation rationale: Shortest perimeter around islands and/or ice-free areas >5km2.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known.
Additional information
References: Ardley, R.A.B. 1936. The birds of the South Orkney Islands. Discovery Reports 12: 349-76. 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. Croxall, J.P., Steele, W.K, McInnes, S.J. & Prince, P.A. 1995. Breeding distribution of the Snow Petrel Pagodroma nivea. Marine Ornithology 23: 69-99. Poncet, S. & Poncet, J. 1985. A survey of penguin breeding populations at the South Orkney Islands, Antarctica. British Antarctic Survey Bulletin 68: 71-81.