Jutulsessen Mountain (30132)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Jutulsessen Mountain
Central coordinates: Latitude: -72.0500, Longitude: 2.6833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 2370
Area of KBA (km2): 5.01686
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Jutulsessen Mountain (2370 m) is located in the central Gjelsvik Mountains, Dronning Maud Land. The main ice free area of the massif is ~10 km by ~5 km across. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica) colony present at the site. The nearest permanent station is Troll (NOR) ~6 km to the northwest.
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: Approximately 38 000 breeding pairs of Antarctic Petrel occupy a number of elevated north-facing slopes in the Jutulsessen Mountain area (Mehlum et al . 1988; van Franeker et al . 1999). However, during a site visit made in 2013/14 it was estimated that numbers may be more than double these earlier estimates, although an accurate count has not been made (reported by A. Tarroux, B. Njåstad pers. comm. 2015). Approximately 2100 breeding pairs of Snow Petrel ( Pagodroma nivea ) were reported at Jutulsessen Mountain in 1991 (Croxall et al . 1995). South Polar Skua ( Catharacta maccormicki ) also breed in the vicinity, the principal nesting areas being on the lower slopes and in the main valley to the northwest of Jutulsessen Mountain (Mehlum et al . 1988). Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: 1.26 km radius around point.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known.
Additional information
References: 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. Mehlum, F., Gjessing, Y., Haftorn, S. & Bech, C. 1988: Census of breeding Antarctic Petrels Thalassoica antarctica and physical features of the breeding colony at Svarthamaren, Dronning Maud Land, with notes on breeding Snow Petrels Pagodroma nivea and South Polar Skuas Catharacta maccormicki. Polar Research 6: 1-9. van Franeker, J.A., Gavrilo, M., Mehlum, F., Veit, R.R. & Woehler, E.J. 1999. Distribution and abundance of the Antarctic Petrel. Waterbirds 22(1): 14-28.