Environment Deception Island

the spanish gabriel de castilla base

deception island has become popular tourist stop in antarctica because of several colonies of chinstrap penguins, novel possibility of making warm bath digging sands of beach. mount flora first site in antarctica fossilized plants discovered.

after norwegian coastal cruise liner ms nordkapp ran aground off coast of deception island on 30 january 2007, fuel ship washed bay. ecological damage has not yet been determined. on 4 february 2007 spanish gabriel de castilla research station on deception island reported water , sand tests clean , had not found signs of oil, estimated 500 750 litres (130 200 gallons; 110 160 imperial gallons) of light diesel.

deception island exhibits wildly varying microclimates. water temperatures reach 70 °c (158 °f). near volcanic areas, air can hot 40 °c (104 °f).

antarctic specially protected areas

some 11 terrestrial sites have been collectively designated antarctic specially protected area (aspa 140), botanic , ecological values, because island has greatest number of rare plant species of place in antarctic. largely due frequent volcanic activity creating new substrates plant colonisation:

collins point (site a) contains examples of long-established vegetation, high species diversity , several rarities.
crater lake (site b) has scoria-covered lava tongue diverse cryptogamic flora, , exceptional development of turf-forming mosses.
an unnamed hill @ southern end of fumarole bay (site c) has several rare species of moss have colonised heated soil crust close line of volcanic vents.
fumarole bay (site d) geologically complex diverse flora on island.
west stonethrow ridge (site e) supports several rare mosses, liverworts , lichens.
telefon bay (site f) has surfaces dating 1967, allowing accurate monitoring of colonisation plants , animals.
pendulum cove (site g) known-age site being colonised mosses , lichens.
mount pond (site h) contains exceptional moss, liverwort , lichen communities.
perchue cone (site j) ash , cinder cone rare mosses.
ronald hill kroner lake (site k) known-age site being colonised numerous cryptogam species, , unique algal community on lake shore.
south east point (site l) supports extensive population of antarctic pearlwort known in antarctic region.

in addition, 2 marine sites in port foster have collectively been designated antarctic specially protected area 145, protect benthic communities.

important bird area

baily head, prominent headland forming easternmost extremity of island, has been identified important bird area (iba) birdlife international because supports large breeding colony of chinstrap penguins (100,000 pairs). 78 ha iba comprises ice-free headland , 800 m of beach on either side of it. other birds known nest @ site include brown skuas, cape petrels , snowy sheathbills.