Svarthamaren (30156)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Svarthamaren
Central coordinates: Latitude: -71.9092, Longitude: 5.1838
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1600 to 2100
Area of KBA (km2): 7.50911
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Svarthamaren is a largely ice free mountain ridge lying to the east of the Vestreskorve Glacier, Mühlig-Hofmann Mountains, Dronning Maud Land. The ridge rises from the surrounding glacier at ~1600 m to an elevation of ~2100 m, and together with its associated moraines occupies an area of ~7.5 km2 and extending ~6 km long and up to 1.5 km wide. Large screes extending up to 240 vertical metres dominate the northeastern slopes of Svarthamaren, and these areas form the primary local nesting habitat for the Antarctic Petrel (Thalassoica antarctica). The area was specially protected in 1987 to avoid disturbance to breeding bird populations and associated research work (ASPA No. 142 Management Plan 2014). The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Antarctic Petrel and South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki) colonies present and the area coincides with the boundary of ASPA No. 142. The nearest station is Tor (NOR), a summer-only research facility located in the north outside the ASPA boundary. The nearest permanent research station is Troll (NOR) ~92 km to the west in the Gjelsvik Mountains.
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: The Antarctic Petrel colony at Svarthamaren is the largest known in Antarctica, with approximately 100 000 – 200 000 breeding pairs occupying mainly the northeastern slopes of the ridge, although breeding also occurs at other sites throughout the area. At least 1000 pairs of Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) and ~100 pairs of South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki) also breed at Svarthamaren (ASPA No. 142 Management Plan 2014; S. Descamps pers. comm. 2015). The number of Snow Petrels may be considerably more, as accurate counts are difficult (S. Descamps pers. comm. 2015). For example, Croxall et al. (1995) reported ~10 000 breeding pairs of Snow Petrel at Svarthamaren based on several sources. The South Polar Skuas tend to nest at the foot of the northeastern slopes occupied by Antarctic Petrels (Mehlum et al. 1988). Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: Coincides with ASPA boundary.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known. The area is strictly protected by ASPA No. 142 and is remote and difficult to access.
Additional information
References: ASPA No. 142 Svarthamaren: Management Plan (2014) 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.