Île de la Possession (6897)
French Southern Territories, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A1d, B1, B2, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Île de la Possession
Central coordinates: Latitude: -46.4000, Longitude: 51.7500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 934
Area of KBA (km2): 156.63586
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Île de la Possession is the largest of the five Crozet Islands. Its mountainous landscape is cut by deep glaciated valleys. The valleys and coastal areas are covered in subantarctic vegetation. Black rats occur over most of the island. The island is uninhabited by man except for a research station on the eastern tip of the island, staffed by approximately 20 people.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: See Box for key species. At least 28 species breed. In addition to those given below, these include 2,000 pairs of Pygoscelis papua, 1,150 pairs Phoebetria palpebrata and 84 pairs of Macronectes giganteus. Numbers of Anas eatoni and Chionis minor are believed to exceed thresholds, but no quantitative data are available. Ten pairs of Diomedea chrysostoma were recorded breeding in 1984. The smaller species breed only at higher altitudes due to the presence of rats lower down. Non-bird biodiversity: Two species of fur seal breed on the island, Arctocephalus gazella and A. tropicalis, with respectively, 87 and 190 pups in 1991. Numbers have been increasing recently with the cessation of hunting. In 1997, 570 female Mirounga leonina bred. The coastal waters are inhabited by approximately 80 Orcinus orca (LR/cd). Two plants and 59 arthropod species endemic to the Îles Crozet occur.
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | not utilised
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Access to several parts of the island important for wildlife is restricted as they have been declared ‘Areas restricted to scientific and technical research’. Rats seriously affect the breeding of numerous species of petrel.
Additional information
References: Guinet et al. (1994, 1999), Jouventin and Micol (1992), Jouventin et al. (1984, 1988, 1996), Weimerskirch and Jouventin (1987, 1997), Weimerskirch et al. (1992, 1999).