Clark Peninsula (45202)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Clark Peninsula
Central coordinates: Latitude: -66.2510, Longitude: 110.5967
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 130
Area of KBA (km2): 9.37995
Protected area coverage (%): 99.81
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Clark Peninsula is a relatively large ice free area situated on the northern side of Newcomb Bay, Budd Coast, Wilkes Land. Clark Peninsula was protected in 1985 because it hosts one of the largest communities of terrestrial flora in Antarctica outside of the Antarctic Peninsula (ASPA No. 136 Management Plan 2014). Clark Peninsula is also an important breeding area for Adélie Penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and South Polar Skuas (Catharacta maccormicki). The IBA qualifies on the basis of the Adélie Penguin colony present and comprises the same area as ASPA No. 136. The nearest permanent station is Casey (AUS), ~5 km to the west on Bailey Peninsula.
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: Approximately 11 000 and 4000 breeding pairs of Adélie Penguin were counted at Whitney Point and Blakeney Point respectively in 2012/13 (ASPA No.136 Management Plan). This compares to 3803 and 5604 breeding pairs, respectively, counted in 1973 (Woehler et al. 1989), suggesting a substantial increase at Whitney Point (~190%) and a decrease at Blakeney Point (~28%) over a period of almost 40 years. Wilson's Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), South Polar Skua and Snow Petrel (Pagodroma nivea) breed on Clark Peninsula (ASPA No.136 Management Plan), with 259 pairs of Snow Petrels confirmed breeding in 2002/03 (Olivier et al. 2004). Non-bird biodiversity: None known.
Delineation rationale: Coincides with ASPA boundary.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known.
Additional information
References: ASPA No. 136 Clark Peninsula, Budd Coast, Wilkes Land, East Antarctica: Management Plan (2014). Bricher, P.K., Lucieer, A. & Woehler, E.J. 2008. Population trends of Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) breeding colonies: a spatial analysis of the effects of snow accumulation and human activities. Polar Biology 31(11): 1397-407. doi:10.1007/s00300-008-0479-z 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 Olivier, F., Lee, A.V. & Woehler, E.J. 2004. Distribution and abundance of Snow Petrels Pagodroma nivea in the Windmill Islands, East Antarctica. Polar Biology 27: 257-265. doi:10.1007/s00300-004-0595-3 Woehler, E.J., Tierney, T.J. & Burton, H.R. 1989. The distribution and abundance of Adélie Penguins Pygoscelis adeliae at the Vestfold Hills in 1973. ANARE Research Notes 70.