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SCAR BULLETIN, No. 151, October 2003

Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 148
Mount Flora, Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula

1. Description of values to be protected

Mount Flora is designated on the grounds that the site is of exceptional scientific importance for its rich fossil flora.

2. Aims and objectives

3. Management activities

A map showing the location of the Area shall be displayed at Esperanza Station and Teniente de Navio Ruperto Elichiribehety Station where copies of this management plan shall be available.

A sign showing the location and boundaries with clear statements of entry restrictions shall be placed on the lower NE ridge at the northeastern boundary.

Persons ascending Mount Flora shall not to enter the Area.

Markers shall be maintained in good condition.

Visits shall be made to ensure management and maintenance measures are adequate.

Periodic updating of the boundaries should ensure any newly-exposed fossiliferous rocks are included within the Area.

4. Period of designation

Designated for an indefinite period.

5. Maps and photographs

Map 1: Mount Flora ASPA No. 148 showing the location of the nearest protected areas
Map 2: ASPA No. 148, Hope Bay, topographic map.
Map 3: ASPA No. 148 geological sketch map.

6. Description of the Area

6(i) Geographical coordinates, boundary markers and natural features

Mount Flora (latitude 63°25' S, longitude 57°01' W, 0.3 km2) is situated on the southeastern flank of Hope Bay, at the northern end of Trinity Peninsula, Antarctic Peninsula. The summit of Mount Flora (520 m) is approximately 1 km from the southern shore of Hope Bay. Four glaciers surround Mount Flora. The boundaries include all the known exposed fossiliferous strata on the northern slopes of Mount Flora.
The geology comprises the Hope Bay, Mount Flora and Kenney Glacier Formations. At the base, the Hope Bay Formation (Trinity Peninsula Group) is separated by an angular unconformity from the overlying Mount Flora Formation. The Mount Flora Formation (Botany Bay Group) is composed mainly of sandstones, conglomerates and shale, and contains the most significant fossil strata. The overlying Kenney Glacier Formation (Antarctic Peninsula Volcanic Group), also separated from the Mount Flora Formation by an angular unconformity, is composed of ignimbrites and welded tuffs., ignimbrites, agglomerates and tuffs.
The fossil flora is represented typically by stems of sphenophytes (Equisetum), as well as foliage of ferns and gymnosperms (cycadophytes, pteridosperms and conifers). Cycadophyte and conifer cone scales, seeds and other unidentifiable stems, leaves and foliage branches are also preserved. Four beetle elytra (exoskeletons) have been identified from a small sample of shale from Mount Flora (Zeuner 1959). There are no known marine fossil floral or faunal deposits in the Area.
The breeding birds of Hope Bay have been well-studied, and part of a large Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony, numbering around 125 000 pairs, is situated about 500 m northeast of the Area. Other birds breeding at Hope Bay include gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua), brown skua (Catharacta loennbergi), Antarctic tern (Sterna vittata), Wilson’s storm petrel (Oceanites oceanicus), kelp gull (Larus dominicanus), and sheathbill (Chionis alba).

6(ii) Restricted and managed zones within the Area

None.

6(iii) Structures within and near the Area

There are no structures present within the Area. The nearest scientific research stations are Esperanza Station and Teniente de Navio Ruperto Elichiribehety Station both approximately 1.5 kilometres northeast of the Area.
An Argentine hut is located close to the Area.

6(iv) Location of other protected areas within close proximity of the Area

The nearest protected areas to Mount Flora are Potter Peninsula (ASPA No. 132) and the western shore of Admiralty Bay (ASPA No. 128) approximately 150 km to the west . Historic Monument No. 39 is present within the vicinity of Esperanza Station (Map 2).

7. Permit conditions

Entry is prohibited except in accordance with a Permit.

7(i) Access to and movement within the Area

Pedestrian traffic should be kept to the minimum.

7(ii) Activities that are or may be conducted in the Area, including restrictions on time or place

7(iii) Installation, modification or removal of structures

Structures shall not be erected. All scientific equipment installed in the Area must be approved by Permit . Removal of specific equipment for which the Permit has expired shall be a condition of the Permit.

7(iv) Location of field camps

Camping is prohibited within the Area.

7(v) Restrictions on materials and organisms which can be brought into the Area

No living animals, plant material or microorganisms shall be deliberately introduced into the Area. No herbicides or pesticides shall be brought into the Area. Any other chemicals, including radio-nuclides or stable isotopes shall be removed from the Area at or before the conclusion of the activity. Fuel is not to be stored in the Area.

7(vi) Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna

There are no described fauna or flora within the Area.

7(vii) Collection or removal of anything not brought into the Area by the Permit holder

Material may be collected or removed from the Area only in accordance with a Permit.

7(viii) Disposal of waste

All wastes, including all human wastes, shall be removed from the Area.

7(ix) Measures that are necessary to ensure that the aims and objectives of the management plan can continue to be met

Visitors removing geological samples shall complete a full record of samples taken, which should be deposited with their National Antarctic Data Centre. Visitors shall demonstrate that they have familiarised themselves with earlier collections to minimise duplication.

7(x) Requirements for reports

Parties should ensure that the principal holder for each Permit issued submits to the appropriate authority a report describing the activities undertaken.