Watson Peninsula, Laurie Island (29477)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Watson Peninsula, Laurie Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: -60.6813, Longitude: -44.5249
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 250
Area of KBA (km2): 1.52096
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Watson Peninsula is a largely ice-free headland extending for ~3.6 km to Cape Valavielle on the northern coast of Laurie Island, separating Macdougal Bay and Marr Bay. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the concentration of seabirds present (in particular Chinstrap Penguin (Pygoscelis antarctica)) and includes all of the ice-free area of Watson Peninsula and a small island located 350 m off the northwestern shore. The nearest research station is Orcadas (ARG), located 11 km to the southwest. 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 3500 – 4000 pairs of Chinstrap Penguin were recorded breeding on the eastern and western coasts of Watson Peninsula in 1948 (Croxall & Kirkwood 1979). Approximately 10 893 breeding pairs were recorded in 1994, suggesting a population increase at this site (unpublished data N. Coria, compiled by E. Woehler pers. comm. 2004)). Approximately 462 pairs of Adélie Penguin ( Pygoscelis adeliae ) were recorded breeding on Watson Peninsula in 1994, and 392 pairs in 2004/05 (Coria et al. 2011). A small Gentoo Penguin ( Pygoscelis papua ) colony is located midway along the west coast and constituted 10 breeding pairs in 1994. Southern Giant Petrels ( Macronectes giganteus ) are also present, with 280 breeding pairs recorded in 2006 (ACAP 2010b). 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: ACAP (Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels) 2010b. ACAP Species assessment: Southern Giant Petrel Macronectes giganteus . Downloaded from http://www.acap.aq on 12/03/ 2015. Croxall, J.P. & Kirkwood, E.D. 1979. The distribution of penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula and Islands of the Scotia Sea. British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge.