Brown Bluff (29467)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Brown Bluff
Central coordinates: Latitude: -63.5245, Longitude: -56.8900
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 600
Area of KBA (km2): 1.87599
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Brown Bluff is a small ice-free section of the northern coastline on Tabarin Peninsula, approximately 13 km southeast of Hope Bay and 8 km west of Jonassen Island. A low-lying rock and ash beach rises steeply to reddish-brown north-facing cliffs of volcanic origin. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the large concentration of seabirds present (in particular Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)) and comprises the ice-free area of the bluff. Erosion of the cliff face causes rock falls and slides along the shoreline, which may affect penguins nesting at the cliff-base. Naveen (2003) reports the lichens Xanthoria spp. and Caloplaca spp. growing on boulders at the shoreline and up to elevations of 185 m and mosses have been observed at higher altitudes. The nearest permanent scientific stations are Esperanza (ARG) and Teniente de Navio Ruperto Elichiribehety (URY), situated 14 km to the northwest, more information on which can be found under IBA Hope Bay.
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 20 000 pairs of Adélie Penguin nest in tightly packed groups on gentle slopes, terraces and ridges on and above the beach at Brown Bluff (Naveen & Lynch 2011). More recently, 18 630 breeding pairs were reported by the Antarctic Site Inventory in January 2013 (R. Naveen and H. Lynch pers. comm. 2014). Around 550 pairs of Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua) breed on flat terraces and low-lying slopes to the east of the Adélie Penguins (H. Lynch pers. comm. 2010). Kelp Gull (Larus dominicanus) nests are found throughout the site, whilst Wilson's Storm-petrels (Oceanites oceanicus) breed in rock crevices at higher altitudes. Other confirmed breeders include Cape Petrel (Daption capense), Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea), Imperial Shag (Phalacrocorax [atriceps] bransfieldensis), Snowy Sheathbill (Chionis albus), South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki), Brown Skua (Catharacta antarctica) and Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata) (Naveen & Lynch 2011). Non-bird biodiversity: Weddell Seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) have been observed at Brown Bluff (ATS Visitor Site Guidelines, Brown Bluff).
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: Brown Bluff is a popular tourist destination, and guidance for site visits is provided by the ATS Visitor Site Guidelines: Brown Bluff. Two areas where Kelp Gulls and Adélie Penguins are breeding are ‘closed' to tourist access. Organised tour visits are supervised by expedition guides.
Additional information
References: Antarctic Treaty System Visitor Site Guidelines, Brown Bluff: URL http://www.ats.aq/siteguidelines/documents/Brown_e.pdf. Accessed: 10/05/2011. 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.