South Georgia Inner Marine (47228)
South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1d, D1a, D1b
Year of last assessment: 2020
National site name: South Georgia Inner Marine
Central coordinates: Latitude: -53.8725, Longitude: -37.6918
System: marine
Area of KBA (km2): 80862.79882
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: No
Site details
Site description: 7 species trigger KBA criteria at this site: Grey-headed Albatross (EN), 1.2-2.0% global pop; Wandering Albatross (VU), 4.6-6.1% global pop; Northern Giant Petrel (LC), 1.2-5.6% global pop; Gentoo Penguin (LC), 29.43% global pop; King Penguin (LC), 1.1-1.4% global pop; Macaroni Penguin (VU), 0.1-16.3% global pop; Antarctic Fur Seal (LC), 61.59% global pop (best available data as of 2018). South Georgia also holds important populations of Southern Giant Petrel (LC), Antarctic Tern (LC), Imperial Shag (LC), which are likely to be using this site. The site is comprised of several component layers, derived from species which breed throughout the South Georgia Archipelago. Primarily though, the breeding sites from which component layers were derived are situated in the north-west and along the northern coastline of South Georgia. The component layers comprise seaward extensions from South Georgia, and core pelagic areas. The site sits within the EEZ of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, and FAO region 48 (Atlantic, Antarctic). It is managed as part of the territorial waters of the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Government. The site is well managed and adequate conservation measures are in place for the species considered. Detailed management information and ongoing recommendations are available via http://www.gov.gs/. A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: 7 species trigger marine IBA criteria at this site: Grey-headed Albatross (EN), 1.2-2.0% global pop; Wandering Albatross (VU), 4.6-6.1% global pop; Northern Giant Petrel (LC), 1.2-5.6% global pop; Gentoo Penguin (LC), 29.43% global pop; King Penguin (LC), 1.1-1.4% global pop; Macaroni Penguin (VU), 0.1-16.3% global pop; Antarctic Fur Seal (LC), 61.59% global pop (best available data as of 2018).
Additional biodiversity: South Georgia also holds important populations of Southern Giant Petrel (LC), Antarctic Tern (LC), Imperial Shag (LC), which are likely to be using this site.
Delineation rationale: This site was identified using 1) the 'tracking data to marine IBA' approach (This method involves determining the distribution of species by tracking their movement via satellite tags. The animal tracks which are obtained are then assessed for whether or not they represent the sampled population. Finally, a core area which can be assessed against the KBA criteria is identified.) for Grey-headed Albatross, Wandering Albatross, Northern Giant Petrel, King Penguin, Macaroni Penguin. And, 2) the 'foraging radius to marine IBA' approach (This method involves extending a buffer around the colony based on known distribution of species from other colonies. This methodology is only applied to short ranging species as it would be innapropriate for species which use vast areas of ocean. For example, Wandering Albatrosses) for Gentoo Penguin, Antarctic Fur Seal (supplemented by a species distribution model (This method involves building correlative models to forecast where animals might occur in the absence of known distribution data. The models were built with known distribution data derived from tracking animals via satelitte tags.)) from South Georgia.
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Unknown |