Weddell Islands (45170)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Weddell Islands
Central coordinates: Latitude: -60.6311, Longitude: -44.8233
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 0.29993
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Weddell Islands are situated south of Saddle Island, northwest of Cape Mabel, Laurie Island and east of Cape Faraday, Powell Island, South Orkney Islands. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the seabirds present at the site, in particular penguins in the Pygoscelis genus. The IBA comprises the largest island and some smaller islands immediately to the west and the intervening marine area. The nearest permanent station is Orcadas (ARG) situated ~13 km southeast on Laurie Island. Orcadas operates year-round with around 45 personnel in summer and 14 in winter (COMNAP, Antarctic Facilities, accessed 01/09/2010).
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: Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae), Chinstrap (P. antarctica), and possibly Gentoo (P. papua) penguins are believed to breed on the islands, although the presence and proportions by species are unknown. Ardley (1936) reported that Chinstrap Penguins comprised the majority on the Weddell Islands in Jan 1933. Lynch & LaRue (2014) estimated from February 2011 satellite imagery that approximately 28 507 breeding pairs (95% CI: 17 350, 47 277) of penguins of the genus Pygoscelis were present at the Weddell Islands. The penguins breed along the lower slopes of the entire coastline. Cape Petrel (Daption capense) and Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) are confirmed breeders in the area (Hodum 2004; Croxall et al. 1995). Ardley (1936) estimated more than 5000 pairs of Cape Petrels present on Weddell Islands in Jan 1933, occupying north-facing cliffs. Ardley (1936) also reported a large number of Chinstrap Penguins on nearby Saddle Island, although recent data to confirm this are not available. Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: Island coastline where island is ≤ 5 km2.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known.
Additional information
References: Ardley, R.A.B. 1936. The birds of the South Orkney Islands. Discovery Reports 12: 349-76. 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. Hodum, P., Croxall, J.P., Poncet, S. & Woehler, E. 2004. Breeding distribution of the Cape Petrel Daption capense. Unpublished draft manuscript. Lynch, H.J. & LaRue, M.A. 2014. First global census of the Adélie Penguin. The Auk 131(4): 457-66. doi:10.1642/AUK-14-31.1