Plateau des Tourbières (6902)
French Southern Territories, Antarctica
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Plateau des Tourbières
Central coordinates: Latitude: -37.8333, Longitude: 77.5500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 450 to 742
Area of KBA (km2): 5.54305
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This plateau covers the highest part of Amsterdam in the centre-west of the island. The plateau is an ancient lava-flow now almost entirely covered with waterlogged peatbog. A number of craters are scattered across the site. Cats, rats and mice are present. The only human habitation on the island, a scientific research station which annually houses 20 or so scientists, is situated 3 km north of the site. The site itself is visited monthly, mostly for ornithological surveys.
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. Alliance for Zero Extinction (2018): site confirmed as an AZE site during the AZE project (2015-2018). Taxonomy, nomenclature and Red List category follow the IUCN 2016 Red List.
Additional biodiversity: See Box for key species. This is the only site at which the Critically endangered Diomedea amsterdamensis breeds. This species has a biennial breeding system such that each year an average of 20 pairs breed in a loose colony on the plateau. The total population of the species is approximately 150 individuals. The only other bird species present is Catharacta antarctica, of which 39 pairs breed. Non-bird biodiversity: Ten species of endemic arthropod, one endemic fern and four endemic vascular plant species 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: The site is an ‘Area restricted to scientific and technical research’, to which access is limited. From a dozen pairs of Diomedea amsterdamensis that bred in the 1980s, the population has, now totally protected and closely monitored, increased to 21 pairs. Virtually every individual is ringed and the condition of each regularly checked. The area is now protected against damage by cattle, as the once-feral herd is now confined to the north of the island.
Additional information
References: Brothers (1991), Jouventin (1994), Jouventin and Micol (1992), Jouventin and Roux (1985), Jouventin et al. (1984, 1988, 1996), Micol and Jouventin (1995), Roux et al. (1983), Weimerskirch and Jouventin (1997), Weimerskirch et al. (1997), Worthy and Jouventin (1999).