Auster Rookery (30107)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Auster Rookery
Central coordinates: Latitude: -67.3900, Longitude: 63.9800
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 4.87311
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Auster Rookery is situated ~6 km northeast of Auster Islands and ~15 km due north of Landmark Point, Mawson Coast, Mac.Robertson Land. The site is characterised by concentrations of icebergs that are typically grounded in the relatively shallow seas found in this area. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) colony present on fast ice and is entirely marine. The nearest permanent station is Mawson (AUS), ~51 km to the west in Holme Bay, on Mawson Coast.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: Robertson's (1995) systematic count at Auster Rookery in the winter of 1988 reported 10 963 breeding pairs present. Analysis of a satellite image acquired on 25 October 2009 (Fretwell et al. 2012) indicated that approximately 7855 Emperor Penguins were present at the colony. Other birds observed at Auster Rookery, although not breeding, include the Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae), South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki), Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea), Wilson's Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), Southern Giant Petrel (Macronectes giganteus) and Antarctic Tern (Sterna vittata) (Todd et al. 1999). Non-bird biodiversity: Weddell Seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) have been reported in the area (Todd et al. 1999).
Delineation rationale: 1.26 km radius around point.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: From 2004-14 one tourist visit was made to Auster Rookery when 68 visitors landed in 2007/08 (IAATO Tourism Statistics, accessed: 18/12/2014).
Additional information
References: Budd, G.M. 1961. The biotopes of emperor penguin rookeries. Emu 61: 171-89. Budd, G.M. 1962. Population studies in rookeries of the emperor penguin Aptenodytes forsteri. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 139: 365-89. Fretwell, P.T., LaRue, M.A., Morin P., Kooyman, G.L., Wienecke, B., Ratcliffe, N., Fox, A.J., Fleming, A.H., Porter, C. & Trathan, P.N. 2012. An Emperor Penguin population estimate: The first global, synoptic survey of a species from space. PLoS ONE 7(4): e33751. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033751 Robertson, G. 1992. Population size and breeding success of Emperor Penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) at the Auster and Taylor Glacier colonies, Mawson Coast, Antarctica. Emu 92: 62-71. Robertson, G. 1995. The foraging ecology of Emperor Penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) at two Mawson Coast colonies, Antarctica. ANARE Reports 138. Todd, F.S., Splettstoesser, J.F., Ledingham, R. & Gavrilo, M. 1999. Short Communication: Observations in some Emperor Penguin Aptenodytes forsteri colonies in East Antarctica. Emu 99: 142-45. doi:10.1071/MU99017A