State and trends of listed or specially protected sites in Antarctica and the subantarctic that are managed by Australia

The title of this assessment summary has been expanded to better represent the components being assessed. The previous title was 'State and trends of listed or specially protected sites in Antarctica'.

The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.

Antarctic environment
State and trends
Heritage values
Antarctica
State and trends of listed or specially protected sites in Antarctica and the subantarctic that are managed by Australia
Component
Summary
Grade
Very poor Poor Good Very good
Confidence
In Grade In Trend
Comparability
To previous years

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

Retreating glaciers open potentially new habitat for flora and fauna; visits to the island are infrequent, which makes monitoring difficult

Year(s): 
2016
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Heard Island and McDonald Islands

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'State and trends' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Bliss et al. 2013

Bliss, A., Hock, R. & Cogley, J. G. 2013. A new inventory of mountain glaciers and ice caps for the Antarctic periphery. Annals of Glaciology, 54, 191-199.

Cogley et al. 2014

Cogley, J. G., Berthier, E., Donoghue, S., Kargel, J. S., Leonard, G. J., Bishop, M. P., Raup, B. H. and Kaab, A. 2014. Remote sensing of glaciers of the subantarctic islands.

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011.

Topics

Retreating glaciers open potentially new habitat for flora and fauna; visits to the island are infrequent, making monitoring difficult

Year(s): 
2011
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Macquarie Island

Rodent and rabbit eradication program has been completed, and the island's vegetation that had suffered from overgrazing is improving rapidly. However, some plant species, such as the Macquarie Island cushion plant (Azorella macquariensis), continue to show signs of significant stress due to drier conditions

Year(s): 
2016
2
Improving
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Macquarie Island

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'State and trends' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Selkirk-Bell & Selkirk 2013

Selkirk-Bell, J & Selkirk, P (2013). Vegetation-banked terraces on subantarctic Macquarie Island: a reappraisal.. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 45, 261-74.

Whinam et al. 2014

Whinam J, Abdul-Rahman JA, Visoiu M, di Folco M-B F & Kirkpatrick JB (2014). Spatial and temporal variation in damage and dieback in a threatened subantarctic cushion species. Australian Journal of Botany 62(1) 10-21.

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011. .

Topics

Rodent and rabbit eradication program began in 2010 is ongoing; if successful, the island is largely expected to be able to restore itself

Year(s): 
2011
2
Improving
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Taylor Rookery (ASPA 101)

This penguin colony is currently the only emperor penguin colony that is known to be situated entirely on land. The population of penguins has been monitored annually since 1988, and some historical information is also available. The number of breeding pairs continues to decrease

Year(s): 
2016
2
Deteriorating
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Taylor Rookery (ASPA 101)

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'State and trends' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Robertson et al. 2014

Robertson G, Wienecke B, Emmerson L & Fraser AD (2014). Long-term trends in the population size and breeding success of emperor penguins at the Taylor Glacier colony, Antarctica. Polar Biology 37(2):251–259.

Harris et al. 2015

Harris CM, Lorenz K, Fishpool LDC, Lascelles B, Cooper J, Coria NR, Croxall JP, Emmerson LM, Fraser WR, Fijn RC, Jouventin P, LaRue MA, Le Maho Y, Lynch HJ, Naveen R, Patterson-Fraser DL, Peter H-U, Poncet S, Phillips RA, Southwell CJ, van Franeker JA, Weimerskirch H, Wienecke B & Woehler EJ (2015). Important bird areas in Antarctica 2015, BirdLife International & Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Comments

The population of emperor penguins continues to decrease. The reasons for this are unknown.

Topics

Contains one of only three known emperor penguin colonies located on land. The population of penguins has been monitored annually since 1988 and some historical information is also available

Year(s): 
2011
3
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Rookery Islands (ASPA 102)

Six different seabird species are breeding on the islands

A very small colony of southern giant petrels is 1 of only 4 known colonies in East Antarctica

Year(s): 
2016
3
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Rookery Islands (ASPA 102)

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'State and trends' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Harris et al., 2015

Harris CM, Lorenz K, Fishpool LDC, Lascelles B, Cooper J, Coria NR, Croxall JP, Emmerson LM, Fraser WR, Fijn RC, Jouventin P, LaRue MA, Le Maho Y, Lynch HJ, Naveen R, Patterson-Fraser DL, Peter H-U, Poncet S, Phillips RA, Southwell CJ, van Franeker JA, Weimerskirch H, Wienecke B & Woehler EJ (2015). Important bird areas in Antarctica 2015, BirdLife International & Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Southwell et al., 2015

Southwell, C., Emmerson, L., Newbery, K., McKinlay, J., Kerry, K., Woehler, E., Ensor, P. and S. 2015. Re-constructing historical Adélie penguin abundance estimates by retrospectively accounting for detection bias. Plo e0123540, 10.

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011.

Topics

Six different seabird species are breeding on the islands A very small colony of southern giant petrels is one of only four known colonies in East Antarctica

Year(s): 
2011
3
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Ardery Island and Odbert Island (ASPA 103)

These islands provide breeding habitat for several species of petrels and are examples of their habitat. Visits to the islands are infrequent, and no regular census work is done

Year(s): 
2016
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Ardery Island and Odbert Island (ASPA 103)

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'State and trends' section, the following reference also supports this assessment: ​

Harris et al., 2015

Harris CM, Lorenz K, Fishpool LDC, Lascelles B, Cooper J, Coria NR, Croxall JP, Emmerson LM, Fraser WR, Fijn RC, Jouventin P, LaRue MA, Le Maho Y, Lynch HJ, Naveen R, Patterson-Fraser DL, Peter H-U, Poncet S, Phillips RA, Southwell CJ, van Franeker JA, Weimerskirch H, Wienecke B & Woehler EJ (2015). Important bird areas in Antarctica 2015, BirdLife International & Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011. .

Topics

These islands provide breeding habitat for several species of petrel and are examples of their habitat. Visits to the islands are infrequent and no regular census work is done

Year(s): 
2011
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

North-East Bailey Peninsula (ASPA 135)

Scientific reference site for vegetation typical of the area. A number of flora studies were conducted in the 1980s. Changes in snow availability appear to put local vegetation under water stress

Year(s): 
2016
3
Deteriorating
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

North-East Bailey Peninsula (ASPA 135)

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'State and trends' section, the following reference also supports this assessment: ​

Harris et al., 2015

Harris CM, Lorenz K, Fishpool LDC, Lascelles B, Cooper J, Coria NR, Croxall JP, Emmerson LM, Fraser WR, Fijn RC, Jouventin P, LaRue MA, Le Maho Y, Lynch HJ, Naveen R, Patterson-Fraser DL, Peter H-U, Poncet S, Phillips RA, Southwell CJ, van Franeker JA, Weimerskirch H, Wienecke B & Woehler EJ (2015). Important bird areas in Antarctica 2015, BirdLife International & Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011.

Topics

Scientific reference site for vegetation typical of the area. A number of flora studies were conducted in the 1980s. Changes to snow availability appear to put local vegetation under water stress

Year(s): 
2011
3
Deteriorating
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Clark Peninsula (ASPA 136)

Designated to protect the largely undisturbed terrestrial ecosystem that includes associations of macrolichens and bryophytes. There is also a colony of Adélie penguins. Possibly similar issues with regard to water resources as ASPA 135, but so far there is insufficient evidence

Year(s): 
2016
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Clark Peninsula (ASPA 136)

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'State and trends' section, the following reference also supports this assessment: ​

Harris et al., 2015

Harris CM, Lorenz K, Fishpool LDC, Lascelles B, Cooper J, Coria NR, Croxall JP, Emmerson LM, Fraser WR, Fijn RC, Jouventin P, LaRue MA, Le Maho Y, Lynch HJ, Naveen R, Patterson-Fraser DL, Peter H-U, Poncet S, Phillips RA, Southwell CJ, van Franeker JA, Weimerskirch H, Wienecke B & Woehler EJ (2015). Important bird areas in Antarctica 2015, BirdLife International & Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011.

Topics

Designated to protect the largely undisturbed terrestrial ecosystem that includes associations of macrolichens and bryophytes. There is also a colony of Adélie penguins. Possibly similar issues with regard to water resources as ASPA 135, but so far there is insufficient evidence

Year(s): 
2011
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Marine Plain (ASPA 143)

The area is representative of an important ice-free terrestrial ecosystem

The area contains important sites for studying the palaeoecology and palaeoclimate

Year(s): 
2016
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Marine Plain (ASPA 143)

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

Expert consultation supports this assessment.

 

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011.

Topics

The area is representative of an important ice-free terrestrial ecosystem The area contains important sites for studying the palaeoecology and palaeoclimate

Year(s): 
2011
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Frazier Islands (ASPA 160)

A group of 3 small islands, all of which are occupied by a variety of seabirds, including small colonies of southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus)

Trends are difficult to estimate because of a lack of data; a significant change in the population size cannot be demonstrated

Year(s): 
2016
3
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Frazier Islands (ASPA 160)

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'State and trends' section, the following references also support this assessment: ​

Harris et al., 2015

Harris CM, Lorenz K, Fishpool LDC, Lascelles B, Cooper J, Coria NR, Croxall JP, Emmerson LM, Fraser WR, Fijn RC, Jouventin P, LaRue MA, Le Maho Y, Lynch HJ, Naveen R, Patterson-Fraser DL, Peter H-U, Poncet S, Phillips RA, Southwell CJ, van Franeker JA, Weimerskirch H, Wienecke B & Woehler EJ (2015). Important bird areas in Antarctica 2015, BirdLife International & Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Wienecke et al. 2009

Wienecke B, Pedersen P & Ingrid B (2009). Population estimates of emperor penguins at Amanda Coast, Antarctica. Polar Record. 45 SRC - GoogleScholar, 207-14.

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011.

Topics

A group of three small islands, all of which are occupied by a variety of seabirds, including small colonies of southern giant petrels Trends are difficult to estimate because of a lack of data; a significant change in the population size cannot be demonstrated

Year(s): 
2011
3
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Scullin and Murray Monoliths (ASPA 164)

The greatest concentrations of breeding seabirds in East Antarctica are found here; bird numbers range from tens to hundreds of thousands.

Remote location makes regular visits impossible.

Year(s): 
2016
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Scullin and Murray Monoliths (ASPA 164)

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine grade and trend.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'State and trends' section, the following references also support this assessment: ​

Harris et al. 2015

Harris CM, Lorenz K, Fishpool LDC, Lascelles B, Cooper J, Coria NR, Croxall JP, Emmerson LM, Fraser WR, Fijn RC, Jouventin P, LaRue MA, Le Maho Y, Lynch HJ, Naveen R, Patterson-Fraser DL, Peter H-U, Poncet S, Phillips RA, Southwell CJ, van Franeker JA, Weimerskirch H, Wienecke B & Woehler EJ (2015). Important bird areas in Antarctica 2015, BirdLife International & Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Southwell & Emmerson 2013a

Southwell C & Emmerson L (2013a). Large-scale occupancy surveys in East Antarctica discover new Adélie penguin breeding sites and reveal an expanding breeding distribution. Antarctic Science 25(4):531–535.

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011.

Topics

The greatest concentrations of breeding seabirds in East Antarctica are found here; bird numbers range from tens to hundreds of thousands Their remote location makes regular visits impossible

Year(s): 
2011
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Hawker Island (ASPA 167)

The declaration of this area as an ASPA means that all colonies of southern giant petrels in the AAT are now protected

Year(s): 
2016
3
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Hawker Island (ASPA 167)

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'State and trends' section, the following references also support this assessment: ​

Harris et al., 2015

Harris CM, Lorenz K, Fishpool LDC, Lascelles B, Cooper J, Coria NR, Croxall JP, Emmerson LM, Fraser WR, Fijn RC, Jouventin P, LaRue MA, Le Maho Y, Lynch HJ, Naveen R, Patterson-Fraser DL, Peter H-U, Poncet S, Phillips RA, Southwell CJ, van Franeker JA, Weimerskirch H, Wienecke B & Woehler EJ (2015). Important bird areas in Antarctica 2015, BirdLife International & Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Wienecke et al. 2009

Wienecke B, Pedersen P & Ingrid B (2009). Population estimates of emperor penguins at Amanda Coast, Antarctica. Polar Record. 45 SRC - GoogleScholar, 207-14.

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011. .

Topics

The declaration of this area as an ASPA meant that all colonies of southern giant petrels in the Australian Antarctic Territory are now protected

Year(s): 
2011
3
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Amanda Bay (ASPA 169)

The only large emperor penguin colony in Prydz Bay is located here.

In the past, few visits were made to this area. Automated cameras installed in 2011 will enable better monitoring of this colony.

Year(s): 
2016
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Amanda Bay (ASPA 169)

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'State and trends' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Fretwell et al. 2012

Fretwell PT, LaRue MA, Morin P, Kooyman GL, Wienecke B, Ratcliffe N, Fox AJ, Fleming AH, Porter C & Trathan PN (2012). An emperor penguin population estimate: The first global, synoptic survey of a species from space. PLoS ONE, 7(4).

Harris et al., 2015

Harris CM, Lorenz K, Fishpool LDC, Lascelles B, Cooper J, Coria NR, Croxall JP, Emmerson LM, Fraser WR, Fijn RC, Jouventin P, LaRue MA, Le Maho Y, Lynch HJ, Naveen R, Patterson-Fraser DL, Peter H-U, Poncet S, Phillips RA, Southwell CJ, van Franeker JA, Weimerskirch H, Wienecke B & Woehler EJ (2015). Important bird areas in Antarctica 2015, BirdLife International & Environmental Research & Assessment Ltd, Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Wienecke et al. 2009

Wienecke B, Pedersen P & Ingrid B (2009). Population estimates of emperor penguins at Amanda Coast, Antarctica. Polar Record. 45 SRC - GoogleScholar, 207-14.

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011.

Topics

The only large emperor penguin colony in Prydz Bay is located here In the past, few visits were made to this area and insufficient information is available to predict a trend

Year(s): 
2011
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Larsemann Hills (ASMA 06)

Two major peninsulas represent a significant part of the ice-free fraction of East Antarctica. Three permanently occupied non-Australian stations exist here.

Year(s): 
2016
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Comparable

Larsemann Hills (ASMA 06)

20162011
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

Expert consultation supports this assessment.

 

Comments

Assessment remains largely the same as in 2011.

Topics

Two major peninsulas represent a significant part of the ice-free fraction of East Antarctica. Three permanently occupied non-Australian stations exist here.

Year(s): 
2011
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Stornes (ASPA 174)

In 2011, Stornes was assessed as part of the Larsemann Hills ASMA; since 2014, it has been an ASPA in its own right

Located within the Larsemann Hills, Stornes is the first ASPA that has been designated primarily for its outstanding geological features, which are collectively known as hard rock occurrences

Year(s): 
2016
3
Stable
Confidence (in grade): 
Adequate
Confidence (in trend): 
Adequate
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Somewhat comparable

Stornes (ASPA 174)

2016
Antarctic environment
State and trends

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

Expert consultation supports this assessment.

 

Comments

Nil.

Topics

Two major peninsulas represent a significant part of the ice-free fraction of East Antarctica. Three permanently occupied non-Australian stations exist here.

Year(s): 
2011
3
Unclear
Confidence (in grade): 
Limited
Confidence (in trend): 
Limited
Comparability (to previous reports): 
Not assessed

Topics

Assessment Summary Key

Grades

Very good

Component in excellent state and management plan in place

Good

Component is undergoing conservation work if needed and/or management plan in place

Poor

Component in poor condition but can be rescued; no management plan in place

Very poor

Heritage component is damaged beyond repair

Recent Trends

  • Improving

  • Stable

  • Deteriorating

  • Unclear

Confidence

  • Adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus

  • Somewhat adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence or high level of consensus

  • Limited: Limited evidence or limited consensus

  • Very limited: Limited evidence and limited consensus

  • Low: Evidence and consensus too low to make an assessment

Comparability

  • Comparable: Grade and trend are comparable to the previous assessment

  • Somewhat comparable: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the previous assessment

  • Not comparable: Grade and trend are not comparable to the previous assessment

  • Not previously assessed

Klekociuk A, Wienecke B (2016). Antarctic environment: State and trends of listed or specially protected sites in Antarctica and the subantarctic that are managed by Australia . In: Australia state of the environment 2016, Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra, https://soe.environment.gov.au/assessment-summary/antarctic-environment/state-and-trends-listed-or-specially-protected-sites, DOI 10.4226/94/58b65b2b307c0