Adélie Cove (45222)
Antarctica, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Adélie Cove
Central coordinates: Latitude: -74.7642, Longitude: 164.0096
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 1.86154
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Adélie Cove is situated in Terra Nova Bay on the coast of the Northern Foothills, Victoria Land. The IBA qualifies on the basis of the concentration of seabirds present (in particular Adélie Penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae)) and comprises ice free ground on the northern coast of Adélie Cove adjacent to ASPA No. 161 Terra Nova Bay. The nearest permanent stations are Mario Zucchelli (ITA) and Jang Bogo (KOR), ~9 km and 17 km to the north respectively.
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: An average of ~11 234 breeding pairs of Adélie Penguin were present each season from 1981 – 2012 (Lyver et al. 2014). Approximately 91 breeding pairs of South Polar Skua (Catharacta maccormicki) were reported along the Northern Foothills coast (Ainley 1986), although the exact extent of the area of the count is not known. A more recent census counted 30 breeding pairs of South Polar Skua in the immediate vicinity of the Adélie Penguin colony, and Wilson's Storm-petrel (Oceanites oceanicus) have also been also observed in the area (S. Olmastroni pers. comm. 2015). Information on other breeding bird species in the area is not available. Non-bird biodiversity: Leopard Seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) have been reported in the area (S. Olmastroni pers. comm. 2015).
Delineation rationale: 1.26 km radius around point, truncated at coastline and permanent ice.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The proximity of nearby stations and associated aircraft and other human activity could pose risks of disturbance to the colony. Italy has recently proposed construction of a new hard-rock airstrip in the Northern Foothills, several kilometres to the north of the Adélie Penguin colony (Government of Italy 2014). Sound intensity measurements and penguin observations at Adélie Cove reported minimal disturbance during a single test flight by a large transport aircraft over the proposed airstrip, although a detailed account, including information on breeding South Polar Skuas or other birds, was not provided. A Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation is being prepared by Italy prior to construction of the airstrip (S. Torcini pers. comm. 2015).
Additional information
References: Ainley, D.G., Morrell, S.H., & Wood, R.C 1986. South Polar Skua breeding colonies in the Ross Sea region. Notornis 33: 155-163 Government of Italy 2014. Proposal for a hard rock airstrip in the Northern Foothills. Information Paper 057 presented to the ATCM XXXVII, 28 April – 07 May 2014, Brazilia, Brazil. Lyver, P.O'B., Barron, M., Barton, K.J., Ainley, D.G., Pollard, A., Gordon, S., McNeill, S., Ballard, G. & Wilson P.R. 2014. Trends in the breeding population of Adélie Penguins in the Ross Sea, 1981–2012: a coincidence of climate and resource extraction effects. PLoS ONE 9(3): e91188. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0091188