Luitpold Coast (45177)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Luitpold Coast
Central coordinates: Latitude: -77.2774, Longitude: -33.7020
System: marine, terrestrial
Area of KBA (km2): 5.1416
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Luitpold Coast extends from the Filchner Ice Shelf in the west to the Brunt Ice Shelf in the east along northwestern Coats Land. An Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) colony breeds on fast ice that forms on the Luitpold Coast near an area ~50 km northeast of the Filchner Ice Shelf where icebergs regularly calve from the continental margin. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Emperor Penguin colony present and is entirely marine. The nearest permanent station is Belgrano II (ARG), ~70 km to the southwest in Vahsel Bay.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: Analysis of a satellite image acquired 12 Nov 2009 (Fretwell et al. 2012) indicated 6498 Emperor Penguins were present at the colony located near the Luitpold Coast. No other birds are known to breed in the area. 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: 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