Heard and McDonald Islands
Country
Australia
Inscribed in
1997
Criteria
(viii)
(ix)
The conservation outlook for this site has been assessed as "good" in the latest assessment cycle. Explore the Conservation Outlook Assessment for the site below. You have the option to access the summary, or the detailed assessment.
Heard Island and McDonald Islands are located in the Southern Ocean, approximately 1,700 km from the Antarctic continent and 4,100 km south-west of Perth. As the only volcanically active subantarctic islands they ‘open a window into the earth’, thus providing the opportunity to observe ongoing geomorphic processes and glacial dynamics. The distinctive conservation value of Heard and McDonald – one of the world’s rare pristine island ecosystems – lies in the complete absence of alien plants and animals, as well as human impact. © UNESCO
Summary
2020 Conservation Outlook
Finalised on
02 Dec 2020
Good
Current state and trend of VALUES
Good
Trend
Data Deficient
Overall THREATS
Overall PROTECTION and MANAGEMENT
Full assessment
Finalised on
02 Dec 2020
Description of values
Outstanding examples of significant on-going geological processes occurring in an essentially undisturbed environment
Criterion
(viii)
The Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands contains outstanding examples of active geological processes continuing in a largely undisturbed environment, free of local anthropogenic impacts. The physical processes provide an understanding of hotspot magmatism in an intraplate setting and of atmospheric and oceanic warming. They also offer an active example of active hotspot volcanism, providing direct geological evidence of the current activity of the longest-lived mantle hotspot known in the world. This includes information about plume interaction with lithospheric plates, in addition to insights into mantle hotspot composition due to the widest range of isotopic compositions of strontium, neodymium, lead and helium known from any oceanic island volcano system. Big Ben on Heard Island is the only known continuously active volcano on a sub-Antarctic island (World Heritage Committee, 2012a). Volcanic activity recently recommenced on McDonald Island increasing the island’s size significantly since the site’s inscription on the World Heritage List.
Evolution and development of island ecosystems
Criterion
(ix)
The site demonstrates significant on-going ecological, biological, and evolutionary processes. As the only sub-Antarctic islands largely free of non-native species and with negligible modification by humans, the site is a classic example of a sub-Antarctic island group with large populations of marine birds and mammals numbering in the millions, but low species diversity. These intact ecosystems provide opportunities for ecological research investigating population dynamics and interactions of plant and animal species, as well as monitoring the health and stability of the larger Southern Ocean ecosystems. Areas of newly deglaciated land (Donoghue, 2016) as well as areas isolated from each other by glaciers provide opportunities for the study of the dispersal and establishment of plants and animals (World Heritage Committee, 2012a). Heard Island possesses the largest cushion plants and the most extensive continuous cushion carpets in the world.
Migratory species, seabirds and marine mammals
The site provides important habitat for a number of resident breeding and transitory populations of seabirds, seals, and the distribution–restricted black-faced sheathbill.
Wetlands
Significant wetland features and processes are present in some areas, and provide habitat for a number of wetland species. These are the moist, low-elevation terrestrial, freshwater areas and shallow near-shore marine environments. Glacial retreat has increased the number and size of waterways and thus wetland features (Donoghue, 2016; Klekociuk and Wienecke, 2017).
Assessment information
The isolation of the site has contributed significantly to the maintenance of its high conservation value. The biggest and current threat to the island is sustained global climate change. The ongoing and accelerating retreat of glaciers has cut off the permanent supply of freshwater to the ice-cored moraine that annually melts to support the pool complex vegetation (wetlands) at Spit Bay. The alien grass species Poa annua may be displacing native vegetation on Heard Island, especially colonising newly deglaciated landscapes, which are increasing in frequency and area under climate change. Potential biosecurity breaches (coupled with climate change) are significant threats to the natural values, biodiversity and ecosystems on the islands. To date no rats and mice have successful colonised the island. Authorised visits apply strict biosecurity practices but rely on self-regulation for enforcement and compliance. However, there have been no commercial tourist visits in the last five years. The threat from unauthorised visits is not accurately measured but multiple unauthorised visits are known to have occurred. Such visits represent an uncontrolled risk as introductions of rodents, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates could occur from these unauthorised human visits where biosecurity protocols have not been able to be imposed. Research has shown that human visitation to sub-Antarctic islands increases the likelihood of invasion. Plastic debris occurs and accumulates on the shores of Heard Island. Many species of surface-seizing seabird such as petrels and prions are susceptible to plastic ingestion at sea.
Tourism/ visitors/ recreation, Other Activities
(Wildlife disturbance associated with helicopter and IRB use during visits)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
There are low levels of disturbance to non-breeding seabirds and marine mammals; potential higher disturbance to breeding seabird populations is associated with tourism, research, fisheries/customs enforcement activities as these activities overlap with seabird and marine mammal breeding seasons. There have been no recent commercial tourism visits (2015 - 2020) but an unknown number and frequency of visits associated with fisheries inspections and Customs monitoring in EEZ, some of which are known to land on Heard Island (IUCN Consultation, 2020b).
Tourism/ visitors/ recreation
(Introduction of non-native species)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Visitation brings the potential for introduction of alien species; the worst-case scenario of which would be the introduction of rodents or plants which have a high potential of being invasive, there is also the potential for invertebrate introduction (Houghton et al., 2019). Biosecurity guidelines are in place for authorised visits to mitigate this threat (Australian Government, 2014) but are challenging to enforce. Private vessels are known to visit Heard Island (and likely to visit McDonald Islands) with no biosecurity assessment, implementation or enforcement. Sailing vessels depart from South Africa and the South African and/or French sub-antarctic islands en route to Heard Island and are considered a high biosecurity risk (IUCN Consultation, 2020b).
Solid Waste
(Ingestion of plastic particulates by seabirds, episodic oiling of seabirds)
Inside site
, Scattered(5-15%)
Presence of plastics and microplastics in the Southern Ocean has been confirmed (Isobe et al., 2017) and plastics regularly wash up on Heard Island beaches (Schmieder, 2016). There are documented reports of wildlife entanglement, plastic ingestion by, and of oiling of seabirds at Heard Island (Auman et al., 2004). Smaller petrels feed by capturing prey at the surface and can mistake plastic particles as prey. Plastic debris is common on the foreshores of the site (Eriksson et al., 2012). Three reports of seabirds ashore with oil on feathers, evidence indicates oiling at sea rather than onshore (Woehler, 2006).
Tourism/ visitors/ recreation
(Impacts associated with episodic visits by tourists, researchers and fisheries enforcement staff)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Low levels of disturbance to seabirds and marine mammals associated with commercial tourism, research expeditions and fisheries/customs enforcement staff while ashore. However, if these visits occur without appropriate biosecurity and quarantine the environmental consequences would be dire (IUCN Consultation, 2020c).
Fishing / Harvesting Aquatic Resources
(Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fisheries)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
Australian regulated fisheries are sustainable (Crawford et al., 2017; AFMA, 2020) and are subject to strict conditions to avoid the incidental mortality of seabirds and marine mammals. However, there would be risks should illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing re-emerge within foraging range of species of albatrosses, penguins and petrels that breed on Heard Island (Crawford et al., 2017; Rodriguez et al., 2019). However, the last recorded incidence of an IUU fishing vessel in the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Exclusive Economic Zone was more than a decade ago (IUCN Consultation, 2020a).
Housing/ Urban Areas
(Deterioration of historical structures)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
A research station was occupied on Heard island between 1947 – 1954, then abandoned; during subsequent short-term periods of occupation other structures were erected (primarily temporary accommodation). Almost all materials were left in situ and some older structures have deteriorated from lack of maintenance and from exposure to the elements (Green, 2006; Munro, 2006). The majority of derelict infrastructure and materials from the 1940s - 1970s was removed during visits in the 2000s and 1990s, some materials remain scattered over the landscape downwind of Atlas Cove (NW Heard Island). Flying debris can impact wildlife such as penguins and seals if debris is large enough (IUCN Consultation, 2017). Sealing artefacts at Spit Bay (try pots) continue to deteriorate due to weathering and animal disturbance (IUCN Consultation, 2020c).
Invasive Non-Native/ Alien Species
(Presence and expansion of invasive grass (Poa annua))
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Poa annua is a non-native species established, and now expanding, on ice-free areas on the eastern and southeastern ice-free areas of Heard Island (where there is a significantly milder climate than western areas), which are occurring more frequently under climate change. Competition with native vegetation and potential interference with natural processes of colonisation by native plant species is occurring (Scott and Kirkpatrick, 2005; Schortemeyer et al., 2015). Elsewhere in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic once establishsed Poa annua spreads in extent. It is unknown how landscape dynamics may have altered the distribution of Poa annua as lagoons have appeared and glaciers retreated within its known range. There are no other known alien plant species established on Heard island. However there maybe new arrivals or remote populations that have gone undetected. There has not been a comprehensive survey of the terrestrial ecosystem on Heard Island since 2003/4. The likelihood of colonisation (human or natural processes) of these species is poorly understood (Australian Government, 2014). Visitation to Heard Island poses significant risk to the rapid expansion of these alien species.
Temperature extremes
(Climate Change)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Outside site
Climate change and sea level rise poses a significant threat to World Heritage values of the site. Rapid and accelerating glacial retreat is leading to the formation of new waterways (specifically lagoons and pro-glacial lakes) and is exposing new land for flora and fauna colonisation. The eastern part of Heard Island (Spit Bay region) has been isolated from its feeding glacier and thus water supply to support ice-cored moraines that melt to irrigate vegetation, especially the cushion plants and the pool complex wetland, has now been cut. Coupled with known föhn winds that generate high temperatures, drought conditions are likely to occur in locations around the island. Keystone species such as the cushion plant, Azorella selago and also bryophytes, are potentially highly susceptible to restricted water conditions and lower humidities (Bergstrom et al., 2015).
Solid Waste
(Presence of hazardous materials (eg asbestos) and rubbish dump sites)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Some clean-up efforts were undertaken in the 1980s and 2000s to remove hazardous materials left in situ at Atlas Cove when the station was abandoned in 1954, such as asbestos, old fuel drums, building materials, broken glass etc. All diesel fuel was burnt and LPG cylinders were vented to minimise pollution and explosive risks in the 1980s. Asbestos is still present locally in small quantities (IUCN Consultation, 2020b). Contamination of soils by fuel can impact local biota. Glass and rubbish previously buried in situ continues to be exposed by storm surges, posing a physical risk to local wildlife traversing the area.
Eruptions on McDonald Island and on Heard Island are natural events but in the past may have affected substantial numbers of seabirds and to some extent, marine mammals, depending on intensity, frequency and timing of events. High numbers of seabirds and marine mammals breed on the islands and eruptions could result in the complete loss of a breeding season’s chick/pup production or of breeding adults. Climate warming, changes in rainfall patterns and changes in glacial meltwater threaten the structure (and potentially, ecosystem functions) of the terrestrial ecosystem.
Volcanic activity
(Episodic eruptions of Big Ben (Heard Island))
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Lava from episodic/irregular eruptions of Big Ben (Heard Island) appears to flow downhill on the predominantly glaciated southwest face of the mountain. Some wildlife habitat is present (ice-free areas used by seabirds) but these small areas are likely to support relatively small breeding populations of seabirds and limited vegetation (Green and Woehler, 2006 and references therein). Satellite imagery and photography suggests that penguin colonies reduced, if not disappeared, from McDonald Island with the major eruption prior to 2002.
Avalanches/ Landslides
(Avalanches/landslides)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Some breeding colonies of seabirds (black-browed albatross Thalassarche melanophrys and light-mantled sooty albatross (Phoebetria palpebrata) on cliffs; birds may be injured or killed by avalanches/landslides if they occur during the breeding season. Unfledged chicks would be the most vulnerable (IUCN Consultation, 2020c). Avalanches and landslides at least partly attributable to glacial retreats from global climate change (other component from lava flows).
Temperature extremes
(Regional warming of air and sea surface temperatures)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Climate change will alter glacial dynamics on the island, the majority of which is capped in ice (from the peak to c. 300m a.s.l). New geomorphological processes will result, this will result in the emergence of a new island ecosystem. The amount of ice-free land area will greatly increase. Climate change is altering ecological processes and interaction in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Pronounced climate change will also increase the likelihood of the introduction and/or spread of non-native species (IUCN Consultation, 2017). The dominant, keystone plant species, carpet forming cushion plant Azorella selago is drought intolerant (Bergstrom et al., 2015). Climate warming, changes in rainfall patterns and changes in glacial meltwater threaten the structure (and potentially, ecosystem functions) of the terrestrial ecosystem. Wetlands at Spit Bay may also be threatened by reduced water availability if/when meltwater from Dover’s Moraine permanently disappears (IUCN Consultation, 2017).
Ocean acidification
(Ocean acidification)
Inside site
, Widespread(15-50%)
Outside site
Ocean acidification is likely to adversely affect marine ecosystems more directly than terrestrial ecosystems (Kawaguchi et al., 2013). Indirectly, ocean acidification may alter the distribution and abundance (and at worst, remove) prey species for bird and marine mammal species on the islands.
Solid Waste
(Contamination from washed up containers, toxic waste)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Outside site
Containers, such as fuel drums and gas cylinders that have washed up on Heard island as marine debris, may rust and leak contents causing local contamination (IUCN Consultation, 2017).
Invasive Non-Native/ Alien Species
(Risk of introduction of invasive rodents)
Inside site
, Not applicable
Unplanned or unauthorised visits by fishing boats, recreational yachts, tourist ship or a shipwreck could unintentionally introduce invasive rodents and/or other invasive species to the island (IUCN Consultation, 2020c).
The overall assessment is that there is a low threat to the World Heritage values of Heard Island and the McDonald Islands if visitation remains low. Climate change, the introduction of non-native species and the potential expanding extent of Poa annua are the greatest threats to the natural values on the islands. Whilst mitigating the effects of climate change is challenging, some threats can currently still be effectively addressed. Best-practice biosecurity protocols must be adopted to ensure no further introductions, particularly of vertebrates. Further consideration may need to be given to the removal (or containment) of Poa annua in light of accelerating glacial retreat. The isolation of the site has contributed somewhat to the maintenance of its high conservation value, but with significant non-native species on Iles Kerguelen to the north west, natural processes, such as bird migration, may adversely affect the values through transportation of these non-native species. Global processes such as climate change, plastic pollution and off-shore fishing can further impact on the local biota.
Management system
The site forms part of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) Commonwealth Marine Reserve, an IUCN category 1A Strict Nature Reserve of 68,200km2 declared in October 2002, having been extended in 2014 to incorporate additional marine areas of high conservation value. This Reserve is being managed pursuant to the Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan 2014-2024. The site is administered and managed by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Australian Government’s Department of the Agriculture, Water and the Environment pursuant to the Environment Protection Management Ordinance 1987 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Environmental approval is required to enter and undertake activities at the site. The major limitation to the management system lies mainly in the difficulty of implementing the management outcomes given the lack of on-site operations and the large area of the site. Enforcement of conditions applied to all visits relies on self-regulation and compliance by visitors (IUCN Consultation, 2020b).
Effectiveness of management system
The site’s extreme geographical remoteness limits the Australian Government’s ability to undertake regular on-site management operations - the last expedition by the Australian Antarctic Division to Heard Island was undertaken in 2003-2004. This has impeded the ability to fulfill all of the management objectives of the Management Plan as well as ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the sites values. Despite this, some of the management plan objectives are being achieved remotely (including via capture and analysis of satellite imagery) and the State Party has shown commitment to fulfilling the management plan to a sufficient extent as to conserve the sites values, even if not completed in full.
Boundaries
The boundaries for the site are marine. The zoning of the site is appropriate for conserving its values.
Integration into regional and national planning systems
The site is managed under Australian Government laws (with its World Heritage values primarily protected under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act (1999). More broadly, the Australian Government has a strong history of working cooperatively with other nations with management responsibilities in the region, to conserve the region’s natural and scientific values as agreed under a range of international agreements (IUCN Consultation, 2020).
Relationships with local people
Not applicable as there are no native or permanent residents at the site.
Legal framework
The site has a comprehensive legal framework based on Australian legislation and regulations. Management and administration of the site is carried out by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment in accordance with the relevant laws (principally the Environment Protection Management Ordinance (EPMO) (Australian Government, 1987) and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999), under which environmental approval is required to enter and undertake activities in the site.
Law enforcement
Being uninhabited, Heard Island and McDonald Islands do not possess an ongoing in-situ law enforcement or environmental management presence. For the purposes of fisheries enforcement, in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), a partnership with French Government authorities is achieved through the Treaty between the Government of Australian and the Government of the French Republic on Cooperation in the Maritime Areas adjacent to the French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Heard Island and the McDonald Islands (2003) and the Agreement on Cooperative Enforcement of Fisheries Laws between the Government of Australia and the Government of the French Republic in the Maritime Areas adjacent to the French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Heard Island and the McDonald Islands (2007) (AFMA, 2020).
The major limitation to the management system lies mainly in the difficulty of implementing the management outcomes given the lack of on-site operations and the large area of the site. Enforcement of conditions applied to all visits relies on self-regulation and compliance by visitors (IUCN Consultation, 2020b).
The major limitation to the management system lies mainly in the difficulty of implementing the management outcomes given the lack of on-site operations and the large area of the site. Enforcement of conditions applied to all visits relies on self-regulation and compliance by visitors (IUCN Consultation, 2020b).
Implementation of Committee decisions and recommendations
There was one request from the Committee at the time of the inscription, requesting documentation of the state of the marine resources around Heard Island and the McDonald Islands (World Heritage Committee, 1997). A federal government funded research project collated all available information, including (the then) contemporary data and analyses from a marine science research cruise to the site. The results of the study were published by Meyer et al. (2000). The site's boundaries were clarified upon request from the World Heritage Committee in 2012 (World Heritage Committee, 2012b), at which time the retrospective Statement of Outstanding Universal Value was adopted for this site (World Heritage Committee, 2012a). There have been no Committee decisions relating to this site since.
Sustainable use
Not applicable on land; commercial fishing is prohibited in the Reserve. Extent, frequency and intensity of IUU fishing effort around HIMI and within Reserve are currently assessed as effectively zero (IUCN Consultation, 2020d).
Sustainable finance
Funding for the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s Australian Antarctic Division is secured from the Australian Government budget.
Staff capacity, training, and development
Relatively few Australian Antarctic Division staff and university-based researchers have been ashore on the site; opportunities for training and skills development for early career researchers and managers are severely constrained. No recent land-based research expeditions decreases management decisions and implementation based on contemporary status, instead relying on 10-20+ year old data sets (IUCN Consultation, 2020b).
Education and interpretation programs
Some interpretive and educational materials are available on the web (see for example http://heardisland.antarctica.gov.au/about). However, most of the materials are largely dated from visits in 2000/01 and 2003/04 when the last research expedition to HIMI occurred. Since then, episodic and ephemeral visits were unable to collect scientifically robust data sets to inform contemporary management efforts (IUCN Consultation, 2020b).
Tourism and visitation management
All aspects of visitation to the site are addressed in the HIMI Management Plan (Australian Government, 2014), requiring visitors to comply with legislation, Management Plan and strict biosecurity conditions (AAD, 2017). Significant difficulties in enforcing and implementing the management, conservation and biosecurity requirements associated with all visits due to a lack of independent observers with visits - one Government observer to oversee commercial tourism visit is insufficient (IUCN Consultation, 2020b). Enforcement of conditions applied to all visits relies on self-regulation and compliance by visitors and commercial tour companies, private expeditions and private visitors (eg solo yachts-people).
Monitoring
Scientific monitoring of biota and physical environmental parameters (e.g. glaciers) currently occurs opportunistically. In the Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan (Commonwealth of Australia, 2016), the Australian Government has committed to undertaking Australia’s first formal management and scientific research visit to Heard Island and McDonald Islands since 2004, however this is yet to be undertaken. The last research voyage to the site was in 2016 (CSIRO, 2017). The last research trip focused on the island's terrestrial ecosystems and land based monitoring of seabirds and marine mammals was in 2004. There has been no insitu monitoring of invasive Poa annua since 2004. Currently available biological data are largely from visits in 2000/01 and 2003/04 when last land-based research expedition to HIMI occurred. Since then, episodic and ephemeral visits unable to collect scientifically robust data sets to inform contemporary management efforts as last scientific surveys 20 years ago (IUCN Consultation, 2020b). Ongoing monitoring of glacial retreat and the subsequent formation of ice free areas and new waterways also needs to be established (IUCN Consultation, 2017).
Research
Despite isolation and relatively few scientific visits, considerable scientific literature has been published from the site. There has been little opportunity to capacity build and grow a community of young researchers knowledgeable about Heard Island. There has been no opportunity to upskill a new generation of researchers insitu on the island, resulting in a lost opportunity to pass on specific place based knowledge (and access routes) through field visits with experienced researchers (IUCN Consultation, 2020c). The most recent research trip to the site in 2016 (CSIRO, 2017) produced a number of scientific findings (Holmes et al., 2019; Pérez-Tribouillier et al., 2019; Wojtasiewicz et al., 2019). The most complete compilation and review is Green and Woehler (2006) that drew on previous terrestrial and marine scientific visits to the area up to 2003/04. No research on the terrestrial ecosystem has occurred since 2003/04. This includes land based studies of seabirds and seals (IUCN Consultation, 2020c). Approval(s) is required to undertake scientific research at the site.
The site is administered and managed by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture, Water and th Environment pursuant to Australian Government laws (principally the Environment Protection Management Ordinance 1987 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999). The site’s extreme geographical remoteness significantly hinders regular on-site management operations, research and enforcement/compliance. Given the rapid and accelerating changes occurring at the site, and the lack of contemporary research data and data interpretation (most data sets are now 20+ years old and many data sets are substantially older), on-ground management of the site is hindered, and the contemporary status of some values and threats is unknown. However, the site’s isolation assists in reducing anthropogenic impacts upon the site’s values.
Assessment of the effectiveness of protection and management in addressing threats outside the site
Mostly Effective
For the purposes of fisheries enforcement in Exclusive Economic Zones, a partnership with French Government authorities is achieved through the Treaty between the Government of Australian and the Government of the French Republic on Cooperation in the Maritime Areas adjacent to the French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Heard Island and the McDonald Islands (2003) and the Agreement on Cooperative Enforcement of Fisheries Laws between the Government of Australia and the Government of the French Republic in the Maritime Areas adjacent to the French Southern and Antarctic Territories, Heard Island and the McDonald Islands (2007) (AFMA, 2020). From an ecological perspective, the fishing industry undertakes annual ecological surveys in and around Heard Island and the McDonald islands, potentially allowing managers to track a limited suite of environmental trends (Brooks et al., 2019).
Best practice examples
There is a 100% observer coverage on all licenced/regulated/legal fishing vessels operating in the region and strict permit conditions enforced by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) and the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) (AFMA, 2020).
Assessment of the current state and trend of World Heritage values
Good
Trend
Data Deficient
The current status of the site’s World Heritage values remains good but there is some evidence of increased threats to them. Low levels of unauthorised visitation substantially increase biosecurity risks. The potential impact of the introduced invasive grass Poa annua on the evolution and development of the terrestrial ecosystem of Heard Island also remains a concern through displacement of native grass species. The extent to which the presence of the grass will influence the Heard Island’s ecosystems is unknown. Ongoing and accelerating climate change poses an increasing risk of fundamental alterations in biodiversity. Geological processes (primarily volcanism and glacial retreat) continue undisturbed.
Assessment of the current state and trend of other important biodiversity values
Data Deficient
Trend
Data Deficient
There is a lack of contemporary data concerning the state of wetlands and breeding populations of seabirds and marine mammals. Seabird and marine mammal research from the 1980s to 2003/04 were summarised (Green and Woehler, 2006). There has been some re-analysis of old data (e.g. McMahon et al., 2015) and limited invertebrate research (e.g. Allen and Cavicchioli, 2017). The available and dated ecological data supports an assessment that the ecological conditions on the islands are in a good state (Allen and Cavicchioli, 2017; Birdlife international, 2020; Houghton et al., 2016), however, the lack of contemporary data is a concern.
Additional information
Importance for research
The site has the potential to yield sentinel climate change data and improve our understanding of climate change on Southern Ocean terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Its glaciers and largely unmodified flora and fauna communities are important markers of climate change (IUCN Consultation, 2017). The low level of invasion to the site and low human visitation make it an important site for genetic studies, research on evolutionary processes and microbial diversity. Sites that are as remote and pristine as Heard Island are globally rare.
History and tradition
Relics from 19th and early 20th Century sealing industries remain on the island. Relics from mid-20th Century research expeditions (1947 - 54) are present on the island.
Storm surges and sea-level rise may threaten some areas, potentially resulting in the loss of historical materials.
Outdoor recreation and tourism
There is limited access to three designated 'Visitor Access' areas onshore of Heard Island for nature-based eco-tourism, and highly limited opportunity for mountaineering. Access to the McDonald Islands is strictly controlled.
The site is a wilderness icon. It possesses several unique characteristics that contribute to its national and global importance. It is the only sub-Antarctic island group largely devoid of non-native species. Furthermore, the site’s ecosystems provide opportunities for ecological research; investigating population dynamics and interactions of plant and animal species, as well as monitoring the health and stability of the larger Southern Ocean ecosystem. Finally, the site can yield sentinel data on changing environmental conditions that will add to our store of knowledge and improve our understanding of climate change.
| № | Organization | Brief description of Active Projects | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australian Fisheries Management Authority | Observer program on commercial fishing vessels within EEZ to document wildlife interactions with fisheries activities. |
http://www.afma.gov.au/fisheries/heard-island-mcdonald-island-fishery/
|
| 2 | Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) | Regional conservation organisation, that also manages fisheries. |
www.ccamlr.org
|
References
| № | References |
|---|---|
| 1 |
AAD (2017). Australian Antarctic Division, Heard Island and McDonald Islands Summary of Measures. [online]. Available at: <http://heardisland.antarctica.gov.au/protection-and-managem…; [Accessed 29 November 2020].
|
| 2 |
AFMA (2020). Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Heard and McDonald islands. [online] Available at: https://www.afma.gov.au/fisheries/heard-island-mcdonald-isl… (Accessed 20 January 2019).
|
| 3 |
Allen, A. and Cavicchioli, R. (2017). Microbial communities of aquatic environments on Heard Island characterized by pyrotag sequencing and environmental data, Sci Rep. 2017; 7: 44480. Published online 2017 Mar 14. doi: 10.1038/srep44480
|
| 4 |
Auman, H.J., Woehler, E.J., Riddle, M.J. and Burton, H.R. (2004). Plastic debris ingestion by seabirds at subantarctic Heard Island. Marine Ornithology 32, 105-106.
|
| 5 |
Australian Government (1987). Territory of Heard and McDonald Islands. Environment Protection and Management Ordinance 1987.
|
| 6 |
Australian Government. (2014). Heard Island and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve Management Plan 2014-2024. [online] Available at: http://heardisland.antarctica.gov.au/protection-and-managem… (Accessed 22 October 2019).
|
| 7 |
Bergstrom D.M., et al. (2015), Rapid collapse of a sub-Antarctic alpine ecosystem: the role of climate and pathogens, Journal Applied Ecology, 52(3): 774-783.
|
| 8 |
BirdLife International (2020). Important Bird Areas factsheet: Heard and McDonald Islands. [online] Available at: http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/heard-and-mcdon…-(to-australia) (Access 23 January 2020).
|
| 9 |
Brooks, C. M., Epstein, G. and Ban, N. (2019). Managing marine protected areas in remote areas: The case of the subantarctic Heard and McDonald Islands. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6, 631.
|
| 10 |
CSIRO (2017). National Marine Facility, Heard Earth-Ocean-Biosphere Interactions. [online]. Available at: <http://www.mnf.csiro.au/Voyages/Investigator-schedules/Plan…;
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| 11 |
Commonwealth of Australia (2016). Australian Antarctic Strategy and 20 Year Action Plan. Available at: <https://www.antarctica.gov.au/site/assets/files/53180/20yea…; [Accessed 29 November 2020].
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| 12 |
Crawford, R., Ellenberg, U., Frere, E., Hagen, C., Baird, K., Brewin, P., Crofts, S., Glass, J., Mattern, T., Pompert, J., Ross, K., Kemper, J., Ludynia, K., Sherley, R., Steinfurth, A., Suazo, C.G., Yorio, P., Tamini, L., Mangel, J., Bugoni, L., Uzcategui, G., Simeone, A., Luna-Jorquera, G., Gandini, P., Woehler, E.J., Pütz, K., Dann, P., Chiaradia, A., Small, C. (2017). Tangled and drowned: A global review of penguin bycatch in fisheries. Endangered Species Research 34, 373-396. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00869
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| 13 |
Donoghue, S. (2006). Fluctuations of Heard Island glaciers 2012-2014. Australian Antarctic Division, 2016.
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| 14 |
Eriksson, C., Burton, H., Fitch, S., Schulz, M., van den Hoff, J. (2012). Daily accumulation rates of marine debris on sub-Antarctic island beaches. Marine Pollution Bulletin 66, 199-208.
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| 15 |
Green, K. (2006). Heard Island – the later ANARE years 1963 – 2004. In: Green, K. and Woehler, E.J. (eds). Heard Island, Southern Ocean Sentinel. Surrey Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton, pp 231-253.
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| 16 |
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