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Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 154

Botany Bay, Cape Geology, Victoria Land

1. Description of values to be protected

The Area at Botany Bay and Cape Geology (Granite Harbour, Victoria Land) has been proposed by New Zealand on the grounds that it is an extremely rich botanical refuge for such a high latitude location (162° 34’ 00”E, 77° 00’ 30”S), with a lichen and moss species diversity and abundance that is unique for southern Victoria Land. In addition to a high diversity and abundance of lichens and mosses there are abundant growths of algae, large populations of invertebrates (collembola, mites, nematodes, rotifers) and a colony (in excess of 40 pairs) of South polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki). The area is the type locality for the collembolan Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni Carpenter.
In addition the Area contains the remains of a rock shelter and associated artifacts known as ‘Granite House’, designated as Historic Site No. 67. Constructed by members of the 1910–13 British Antarctic Expedition, the shelter and associated artifacts are vulnerable to disturbance and form a Managed Zone.

2. Aims and objectives

3. Management activities

4. Period of designation

Designated for an indefinite period.

5. Maps and photographs

Map A: Botany Bay and Cape Geology topographic map.
Map B: Botany Bay and Cape Geology, orthophotograph.
Map C: Managed Zone with ‘Granite House’ site orthophotograph.

6. Description of the Area

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

Cape Geology is situated in the south-western corner of Granite Harbour, southern Victoria Land, at 162°32’52”E, 77°00’14”S, approximately 100 km north-west of Ross Island (Map A, Insets). The Area encompasses much of the catchment above Botany Bay and consists of raised boulder beach terraces, weathered rocky steppes and irregular rock platforms around Cape Geology, extending south to include a well-defined elevated cirque containing a small ice field. The bedrock geology at Cape Geology has been described as a porphyritic grey biotite-granite, with phenocrysts of reddish orthoclase.
The northwest corner of the Area is marked by a brass plaque in a boulder (M1, 2 m: Maps A and B) 400 m SW of Cape Geology. The west boundary is defined by a line extending first 260 m SSE from M1 to a large boulder (marked by a cairn) with terrier bolt (M2) at an elevation of 118 m on the ridge above the campsite; thence the boundary extends 250 m up this ridge to a point at 162 m elevation marked by an iron tube with bamboo pole. The west boundary extends a further 300 m up this ridge to a large pointed rock at 255 m elevation near the edge of the permanent ice field. The boundary then extends 150 m south across the ice field to the west edge of a prominent line of exposed rock and moraine in the SW corner of the Area at 325 m elevation. The south boundary follows this line of rock east until the exposure is buried by the ice-field, thence SE across the ice field for 500 m to the edge of a second and more prominent exposure at an elevation of just over 400 m (M3). The boundary follows the upper edge of this exposure and then crosses the ice field SE to an elevation of approximately 325 m where the ice-free eastern boundary ridge and the ice field converge. The east boundary follows the ridge crest for 1550 m in a NE direction to a large pointed rock on the ridge (M4, 392 m) where the east boundary turns to descend due north to the coast at the eastern extremity of the boulder beach of Botany Bay (M5, 5 m). The mean high water mark of the coastline of Botany Bay and Cape Geology forms the northern boundary of the Area.
The Area is extremely rich botanically for such a high-latitude location. There is a high diversity and abundance of lichens (more than 30 species) and mosses (eight species), and the structure and development of these communities are similar to those found 10° of latitude further north. Some lichen thalli (e.g. Umbilicaria aprina) measure up to 15 cm diameter. The boulder beach has rich populations of both epilithic and endolithic lichens. The Area contains the most southerly record of an hepatic (Cephaloziella exiliflora) and the mosses Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostre and possibly Ceratodon purpureus. There are abundant growths of algae (at least 85 taxa).
There are large populations of invertebrates (collembola, mites, nematodes, rotifers) and the area is the type locality for the collembolan Gomphiocephalus hodgsoni Carpenter. There is a colony of between 40 – 50 breeding pairs (and numerous non-breeders) of the south polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki).

6(ii) Restricted and managed zones within the Area

Restricted Zone
An area directly above Botany Bay is designated a Restricted Zone in order to preserve part of the Area as a reference site for future comparative studies. The west boundary of the Restricted Zone is defined by a line from a marker (iron tube in rock, 20 metres from mean high water mark, elevation 8 m) at the west side of Botany Bay (Map A), extending SW for 170 m up to a second iron tube marker on the crest of the adjacent ridge (87 m). This boundary extends 100 m to a third iron tube and a cairn (98 m), thence 50 m to a large flat rock in the centre of the main flush (marked ‘1’ on Maps A and B). The south boundary of the Restricted Zone extends from the flat rock in a straight line 820 m to the first of two prominent boulders near the middle of the ice-free slopes above Botany Bay. The east boundary extends 300 m from there to a large rock at 135 m elevation, thence NE downslope to the NE boundary point (M5, 5 m). The north boundary of the Restricted Zone is the mean high water mark of Botany Bay.
Access to the Restricted Zone is allowed only for compelling scientific or management which cannot be served elsewhere.

Managed Zone
The Managed Zone is to protect historic artifacts and plant communities,and to allow access to the rock shelter known as ‘Granite House’. The Managed Zone is an enclave of approximately 100 m by 80 m that surrounds a rock ridge leading from the coast at Cape Geology to the old shelter. Access to the Managed Zone may be allowed by Permit.

6(iii) Structures within and near the Area

The only structures known to exist in the Area are ‘Granite House’, the boundary survey markers and signposts in appropriate locations.

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

The nearest protected area to Cape Geology is ASPA 123 at Barwick Valley, 50 km distant in a SW direction in the Victoria Land Dry Valleys.

7. Permit conditions

Entry into the Area is prohibited except in accordance with a Permit issued by appropriate national authorities.

7(i) Access to and movement within the Area

Vehicles are prohibited within the Area and access should be by foot. Helicopters are normally prohibited from landing within the Area: there is a designated site 60 m outside of the Area.
Access should preferably be from the recommended camping area along a preferred walking route 10–20 m from the coast. Visitors should avoid walking on visible vegetation, and disturbing bird populations.
Access to the Managed Zone should be from the coast, following the ridge leading up to ‘Granite House’.

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

No structures are to be erected within the Area except as specified in a Permit. All scientific equipment installed in the Area must be authorised by Permit and clearly identified by country, name of the principal investigator and year of installation.

7(iv) Location of field camps

Camping within the Area is prohibited and should be at a site outside of the Area, 100 m from the NW corner (Map A), adjacent to the designated helicopter landing site.

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 and precautions shall be taken against accidental introductions. No herbicides or pesticides shall be brought into the Area. Any other chemicals, including radio-nuclides or stable isotopes, which may be introduced for scientific or management purposes specified in the Permit, shall be removed from the Area at or before the conclusion of the activity for which the Permit was granted. Fuel is not to be stored in the Area.

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

This is prohibited, except in accordance with a Permit.

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 and should be limited to the minimum necessary to meet scientific or management needs.
Visitors are prohibited from interfering with Granite House’ in any way, or from handling any artifacts found within the Managed Zone

7(viii) Disposal of waste

All 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

1. Permits may be granted to carry out biological monitoring and site inspection activities or for management activities associated with the Historic Site.

2. Any specific sites of long-term monitoring shall be appropriately marked.

3. To help maintain the ecological and scientific values of the isolation and relatively low level of human impact at the Area visitors shall take special precautions against introductions.

7(x) Requirements for reports

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