Mount Paterson (30141)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Mount Paterson
Central coordinates: Latitude: -78.0395, Longitude: -155.0052
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 690
Area of KBA (km2): 1.71938
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mount Paterson is one of 16 nunataks situated on the eastern side of the Rockefeller Mountains, Marie Byrd Land. It is a pyramid-shaped peak that rises to ~690 m. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the concentration of seabirds present (in particular Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica)) and comprises the ice free areas at Mount Paterson. There are no research stations nearby. The closest permanent stations are Scott Base (NZL) and McMurdo Station (USA), ~850 km to the southwest in the southern Ross Sea.
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: Mount Paterson was visited in 1987/88 and an Antarctic Petrel colony was observed occupying the eastern, southern and western slopes of the mountain (Broady et al . 1989). Approximately 10 000 birds were present on the eastern and southern slopes with another 5000 birds on the western slope, and Broady et al . (1989) estimated that in total around 10 000 breeding pairs were present. A small colony of Snow Petrels ( Pagodroma nivea ) of several hundred birds was observed on the steep upper crags of the southernmost peak (Broady et al . 1989). No other birds are known to breed in the area. Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
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: None known.
Additional information
References: Broady, P.A., Adams, C.J., Cleary, P.J. & Weaver, S.D. 1989. Ornithological observations at Edward VII Peninsula, Antarctica, in 1987-88. Notornis 36 (1): 53-61. 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.