Drescher Inlet (Dreschereisfrontkerbe) (30126)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Drescher Inlet (Dreschereisfrontkerbe)
Central coordinates: Latitude: -72.8327, Longitude: -19.2187
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 3.68281
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Riiser-Larsen Ice Shelf extends ~400 km between Cape Norvegia and Lyddan Island, on the Princess Martha Coast, Dronning Maud Land. An Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) colony breeds on fast ice that forms in cracks along the western coast of the Riiser-Larsen Ice Shelf, immediately south of Cape Vestkapp. The site is formally named by Germany as Dreschereisfrontkerbe, and is often referred to unofficially in English as ‘Drescher Inlet'. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Emperor Penguin colony present and is entirely marine. There are no research stations nearby. The summer stations Aboa (FIN) and Wasa (SWE) are situated ~200 km to the southeast at Basen Nunatak in the Vestfjella Mountains.
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: Gerdes et al. (1987) estimated ~6600 Emperor penguin chicks were present at the colony from a direct census conducted in October 1986. Analysis of a satellite image acquired 04 Oct 2009 (Fretwell et al. 2012) indicated that approximately 2305 Emperor Penguins were present at the colony, although image quality was rated as only Fair. No other birds are known to breed in the area. Non-bird biodiversity: Weddell Seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) are known to breed in the vicinity (Gerdes et al. 1987).
Delineation rationale: 1.26 km radius around point, truncated at coastline.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known.
Additional information
References: 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 Gerdes, D., Gräfe, M., Klages, N., Plötz, J., Reijnders, P., Steinmetz, R. & Zegers, K. 1987. Weddell seals and Emperor penguins in Drescher Inlet. Berichte zur Polarforschung 39: 222-27.