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Volume 54, No. 1

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Important Bird Area ANT 110 Muskegbukta, Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica: A case study.


Authors

BARBARA WIENECKE
Australian Antarctic Division, 203 Channel Highway, Kingston TAS 7050, Australia (barbara.wienecke@aad.gov.au)

Citation

Wienecke, B. (2026). Important Bird Area ANT 110 Muskegbukta, Queen Maud Land, East Antarctica: A case study. Marine Ornithology, 54(1), 11-20.
http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.54.1.1676

Received 28 May 2025, accepted 06 August 2025

Date Published: 2026/04/15
Date Online: 2026/03/22
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Key words: Aptenodytes forsteri, colony movements, Emperor Penguin, IBA, Antarctica

Abstract

The nomination of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) is a useful approach to determine where valuable biodiversity areas occur. In Antarctica, 204 areas have been designated as IBAs, 34 of which contain Emperor Penguin Aptenodytes forsteri colonies. The dynamic nature of the Antarctic environment presents challenges to IBA nominations, particularly for a species such as the Emperor Penguin, whose colonies can shift markedly in location across years. This paper uses IBA ANT 110 Muskegbukta as a case study to explore how changes in local and regional fast ice conditions result in relocation of a colony beyond the nominated IBA boundary. Because the situation at IBA ANT 110 is not unique, a broader review of IBAs containing Emperor Penguin populations is required.

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Search by author or title:

Browse previous volumes:

Volumes > 38 (2010-->)

Volumes 28-37 (2000-09)

Volumes 18-27 (1990-99)

Volumes 5-17 (1978-89) a.k.a 'Cormorant'