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SCAR Bulletin No 156, January 2005

Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 113

Litchfield Island, Arthur Harbour, Anvers Island, Palmer Archipelago

1. Description of values to be protected

Litchfield Island was originally designated on the grounds that ∞Litchfield Island, together with its littoral, possesses an unusually high collection of marine and terrestrial life, is unique amongst the neighboring islands as a breeding place for six species of native birds and provides an outstanding example of the natural ecological system of the Antarctic Peninsula area".

The current management plan reaffirms the original reasons for designation associated with the bird communities. In 1964 Litchfield Island supported one of the most extensive moss carpets known in the Antarctic Peninsula region, dominated by Warnstorfia laculosa which was then considered near its southern limit.

2. Aims and objectives

3. Management activities

4. Period of designation

Designated for an indefinite period.

5. Maps and photographs

6. Description of the Area

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

Litchfield Island (64°46'15" S, 64°05'40" W, 0.35 km2) is situated in Arthur Harbour approximately 1500 m west of Palmer Station (US), Gamage Point, Anvers Island, in the region west of the Antarctic Peninsula known as the Palmer Archipelago (Map 1). The designated Area is defined as all of Litchfield Island above the low tide water level, excluding all offshore islets and rocks.

Few meteorological data are available for Litchfield Island. Longer-term data for Palmer Station show monthly air temperature averages recorded over a 22-year period ranging from -7.8°C in August to 2.5°C in January. The minimum recorded temperature is -31°C and the maximum is 9°C, while the annual mean is -2.3°C.

Litchfield Island is composed of an unusual assemblage of late Cretaceous to early Tertiary age rock types called the Altered Assemblage. The primary rock types are tonalite and trondhjemite. Also common are granite and volcanic rocks. The soils of Litchfield Island have not been described, although peaty soils may be found in areas where there is, or once was, rich moss growth.

There are a few small ponds on Litchfield Island: one contains the algae Heterohormogonium sp. and Oscillatoria brevis, another contains Gonium sp., Prasiola crispa, P. tesselata and Navicula sp.

The plant communities at Litchfield Island were surveyed in detail in 1964 when the vegetation was well-developed and comprised several distinct communities with a diverse flora. An outstanding feature was one of the most extensive moss carpets known in the Antarctic Peninsula region, dominated by W. laculosa. Rock surfaces supported a variety of lichen-dominated communities in addition to the numerous epiphytic species that occurred on the moss banks.

In recent years, increasing populations of Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) have caused significant damage to the moss banks and carpets at lower elevations. South polar skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) nest in the moss banks and cause some local destruction.
The invertebrate fauna of Litchfield Island has not been studied in detail. The tardigrades Macrobiotus furciger, Hypsibius alpinus and H. pinguis have been observed in moss patches, predominantly on north-facing slopes.

Seven bird species breed on Litchfield Island, making it one of the most diverse avifauna breeding habitats within the Arthur Harbour region. A small Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) colony on the eastern side of the island has been censused regularly since 1971. Numbers of breeding pairs have declined substantially over a 30-year period.

Southern giant petrels (Macronectes giganteus) breed in small numbers on Litchfield Island. It is likely that Wilson's storm petrels (Oceanites oceanicus) breed within the Area, although numbers have not been determined. Up to 50 pairs of south polar skuas (Catharacta maccormicki) occur on the island and brown skuas (Catharacta loennbergi) are closely associated with the Adélie penguin colony. 12-20 kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) are seen regularly and a small number of Antarctic terns (Sterna vittata) regularly breed.

Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) are now common on Litchfield Island from around February each year. Elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) a few Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) haul out on accessible beaches. Both crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus) and leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx) may also be seen on ice floes near Litchfield Island.

The predominantly soft mud substrate approximately 200 m off the northeastern coast of Litchfield Island has been described as supporting a rich macrobenthic community, characterized by a high diversity and biomass of non-attached, deposit-feeding polychaetes, arthropods, molluscs and crustaceans. The fish species Notothenia neglecta, N. nudifrons and Trematomus newnesi have been recorded between 3 and 15 meters depth. The Antarctic limpet (Nacella concinna) is common.

In January 1989 the vessel Bahia Paraiso ran aground 750 m south of Litchfield Island, releasing more than 600,000 liters (150,000 gallons) of petroleum into the surrounding environment. The intertidal communities were most affected, and hydrocarbon contaminants were found in both sediments and inter- and sub-tidal limpets (Nacella concinna), with an estimated mortality of up to 50% but, numbers recovered soon after the spill.

In the period 1978-92 only about 35 people visited Litchfield Island. Visitation was undoubtedly low over this period, and has remained at a minimal level, primarily related to censuses and work on terrestrial ecology.

6(ii) Restricted and managed zones within the Area

None.

6(iii) Structures within and near the Area

A permanent survey marker was installed by the USGS on 9 February 1999 near the summit of the island at 64°46'13.97"S, 64°05'38.85"W at an elevation of 48 m, about 8 m west of the cairn. A survival cache is located near the crest of a small hill approximately 100 m south of the small boat landing site.

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

The nearest protected areas to Litchfield Island are: Biscoe Point (ASPA No. 139) 16 km E; South Bay (ASPA No. 146), 27 km SE; and Eastern Dallmann Bay (ASPA No. 153) 90 km NE, adjacent to Brabant Island (Map 1).

7. Permit conditions

Entry into the Area is prohibited except in accordance with a Permit.

7(i) Access to and movement within the Area

Access to the Area shall be by small boat, or over sea ice by vehicle or on foot. Vehicles are prohibited and all movement within the Area shall be on foot. Landing by aircraft is prohibited within the Area and any necessary overflight shall be conducted according to the height restrictions imposed in Table 3 (not reproduced here).

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

Scientific research that will not jeopardize the ecosystem values or the value as a reference site;
Essential management activities;
The appropriate authority should be notified of any activities/measures undertaken that were not included in the authorized Permit.

7(iii) Installation, modification or removal of structures

Structures shall not be erected within the Area except as specified in a Permit. All structures, scientific equipment or markers installed shall be for a specified period and adequately identified. All such items should be made of materials that pose minimal risk of harm to fauna or of contamination of the Area.

7(iv) Location of field camps

Camping should be avoided within the Area. However, when necessary for essential purposes specified in the Permit, temporary camping is allowed at the designated site on the terrace above the penguin colony. Camping on surfaces with significant vegetation cover is prohibited.

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. Dressed poultry should be free of disease or infection and all parts shall be completely removed and incinerated or boiled long enough to kill any potentially infective bacteria or viruses. No herbicides or pesticides shall be brought into the Area. Any other chemicals, including radio-nuclides or stable isotopes, shall be removed at or before the conclusion of the activity. Fuel is not to be stored in the Area. Anything introduced shall be removed at or before the conclusion of the stated period.

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

Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna is prohibited except in accordance with a permit.

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

Collection or removal of anything not brought into the Area by the Permit holder shall only be in accordance with a Permit and should be limited to the minimum necessary to meet scientific or management needs. Anything of human origin may be removed unless the impact of removal is likely to be greater than leaving the material in situ.

7(viii) Disposal of waste

All wastes shall be removed from the Area. Human wastes may be disposed of into the sea.

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.
  2. Any specific sites of long-term monitoring shall be appropriately marked.
  3. Visitors shall take special precautions against introductions. Of concern are pathogenic, microbial, invertebrate or plant introductions sourced from other Antarctic sites or from regions outside Antarctica. Footwear and other equipment shall be thoroughly cleaned before entering the Area.
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.