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ISLAND DIRECTORY
Islands of French Southern Territories (France)
Amsterdam [1121]
Group: Archipelago: Amsterdam
Country: France - French Southern Terr- Amsterdam
Lat: 37.92º S Long : 77.67º E
Area: 86.5 sq. km Altitude: 911 m
Shoreline: 51.4 km (scale 1:1000000) Coastal Index: 0.5942
Depth to nearest land: 3000 m
Nearest island: 50 km group: 1300 km
Nearest continent: Antarctica Distance: 3000 km Isolation Index: 98
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 0
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
Oval volcanic crater 7 by 10 km, with steep coastal cliffs, crater floor
plateau at 600 m, numerous craters and vents but no present volcanic
activity
CLIMATE: moderate mild oceanic mean 13øC, 1100 mm
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: fires
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 3 Marine: 1
Tussock grass meadows to 250 m, sedge grasslands to 600 m, feldmark of
dwarf
shrubs, bogs and mosses above 600 m; trees (Phylica arborea) and ferns
formerly widespread but now restricted to areas sheltered from grazing
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
0 |
0 |
1 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Rept/Amphib |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Plants:
Hymenophyllum aeruginosum (fern) Endangered
Birds:
8 breeding species of seabirds and 2 introductions, other species
extinct
Diomedia amsterdamensis (Amsterdam Island Albatross) endemic, rare,
25-30
breeding pairs, nests subject to trampling by cattle
Diomedia chlororhynchos (Yellow-nosed Albatross) 37,000 breeding
pairs, more
than half known world population
Mammals:
Arctocephalus tropicalis (Amsterdam Island Fur Seal) 20,000 adults in
1981,
increasing
Mirounga leonina (Southern Elephant Seal) no longer breeds
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 1 Group: 1
1 albatross
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
seabird rookery, seal colony
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 4
serious damage from invasive species
Plants:
Many alien plants, recent increase in thistle Cirsium arvense
Birds:
introduced pintail and waxbill
Mammals:
cattle, rats, mice and cats; formerly also sheep, goats, and pigs
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited, meteorological station
Population: 35 Density: 0.4 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 0.0%/yr Stable
Major Human Activities: meteorology
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Heavy sealing in 19th century; cattle ranching attempted in 1871;
meteorological station established 1949; soil erosion from overgrazing
and
fires (a fire in 1973 burned for several months); crayfish industry may
be
overexploiting the resource
Habitat: research station Urban Pop: 0 Urban Indicator: 0
Conservation support: tenure, government support, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 7 Marine: 0
Number: 1 Area: Terrestrial: 86.5 sq. km Marine: 0 sq. km
included in Parc national antarctique francais (5500 ha) 1938
DATA RELIABILITY: partial Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 6 Moderate
CI-Marine: 2 Low
REFERENCES:
Clark, M.R. and Dingwall, P.R. 1985. Conservation of islands in the
Southern
Ocean: a review of the protected areas of Insulantarctica. IUCN,
Gland and
Cambridge. 193 p.
Last updated: 28/05/89
Cochons, Ile aux (Ile aux Cochons) - including Ilots des Apotres, Pingouins [1182]
Group: Archipelago: Crozet
Country: France - French Southern Terr. - Crozet
Lat: 46.10º S Long : 50.11º E
Area: 67.6 sq. km Altitude: 770 m
Shoreline: 33.4 km (scale 1:1000000) Coastal Index: 0.4941
Depth to nearest land: 3000 m
Nearest island: 58 km group: 1400 km
Nearest continent: Antarctica Distance: 2000 km Isolation Index: 90
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 1
CLIMATE: wet cool temperate mean 7øC
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 4 Marine: 1
Coastal herbs, tussock grassland to 50 m, grass-cabbage-dwarf shrub-fern
association 50-100 m, feldmark above 100m, only mosses and lichens above
300
m; rocky coasts with giant kelp (Laminaria)
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
major seabird rookeries, seal colonies
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 4
considerable damage from feral species
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Conservation support: tenure, government support, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 7 Marine: 0
Number: 1 Area: Terrestrial: 67.6 sq. km Marine: 0 sq. km
DATA RELIABILITY: old Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 4 Low
CI-Marine: 2 Low
Last updated: 28/05/89
Foch (Ile Foch) [481]
Group: Archipelago: Kerguelen (Iles)
Country: France - French Southern Terr- Kerguelen: Southern
Lat: 49.00º SLong: 69.30º E
Area: 206.2 sq. km Altitude: 687 m Shoreline: 100.0 km (scale 1:1000000)
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic
Howe (Ile Howe) - including Iles Leygues [1177]
Group: Archipelago: Kerguelen (Iles)
Country: France - French Southern Terr- Kerguelen
Lat: 48.85º S Long : 69.45º E
Area: 31.3 sq. km Altitude: ? m
Shoreline: 28.2 km (scale 1:1000000) Coastal Index: 0.9010
Depth to nearest land: 3000 m
Nearest island: 4 km group: 400 km
Nearest continent: Antarctica Distance: 1800 km Isolation Index: 64
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 2
CLIMATE: wet sub-polar 4.5øC, 1100 mm
ECOSYSTEMS:
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Conservation support: tenure, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 0 Marine: 0
Number: 1 Area: Terrestrial: 0.0 sq. km Marine: 0 sq. km
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 2 Low
CI-Marine: 2 Low
Last updated: 28/05/89
Ile de l'Est (Est, Ile de l') [473]
Group: Archipelago: Crozet
Country: France - French Southern Terr. - Crozet
Lat: 46.43º S Long : 52.20º E
Area: 122.2 sq. km Altitude: 1090 m
Shoreline: 48.9 km (scale 1:1000000) Coastal Index: 0.4002
Depth to nearest land: 3000 m
Nearest island: 17 km group: 1200 km
Nearest continent: Antarctic Distance: 2000 km Isolation Index: 83
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 1
CLIMATE: wet cool temperate mean 7øC
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 4 Marine: 1
Coastal herbs, tussock grassland to 50 m, grass-cabbage-dwarf shrub-fern
association to 100 m, feldmark above 100 m, only mosses and lichens
above 300
m; rocky coast with Laminaria
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
major seabird rookeries, seal colonies
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 1
rabbits were common but died out, no mammals now
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Conservation support: tenure, legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: old Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 1
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 4 Low
CI-Marine: 2 Low
Last updated: 28/05/89
Ile de la Possession (Possession, Ile de la) [477]
Group: Archipelago: Crozet
Country: France - French Southern Terr. - Crozet
Lat: 46.40º S Long : 51.78º E
Area: 153.1 sq. km Altitude: 934 m
Shoreline: 60.4 km (scale 1:1000000) Coastal Index: 0.3945
Depth to nearest land: 3000 m
Nearest island: 17 km group: 1200 km
Nearest continent: Antarctica Distance: 2000 km Isolation Index: 83
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 0
CLIMATE: wet cool temperate mean 7øC
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 4 Marine: 1
Coastal herbs, tussock grassland to 50 m, grasses with
cabbage, dwarf shrub and ferns 50 to 100 m, feldmark 100 to
300 m, mosses and lichens above 300 m; rocky coasts with
Laminaria kelp
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 1
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
major seabird rookeries, seal colonies
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 3
many introduced species
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited, meteorological station
Population: 20 Density: 0.1 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 0.0%/yr Stable
Major Human Activities: scientific research
Habitat: research station Urban Pop: 0 Urban Indicator: 0
Conservation support: tenure, legislation
DATA RELIABILITY: partial Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 3
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 4 Low
CI-Marine: 1 Low
Last updated: 28/05/89
Kerguelen (Ile Kerguelen, Grande Terre) - including Iles Nuageuses [493]
Group: Archipelago: Kerguelen (Iles)
Country: France - French Southern Terr- Kerguelen
Lat: 49.30º S Long : 69.60º E
Area: 6617.3 sq. km Altitude: 1850 m
Shoreline: 1719.2 km (scale 1:1000000) Coastal Index: 0.2598
Depth to nearest land: 3000 m
Nearest island: 400 km group: 400 km
Nearest continent: Antarctica Distance: 1800 km Isolation Index: 82
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 1
GEOLOGY/SOILS:
High mountainous island with extensive plateaus in east, deep
glacial valleys, and deeply dissected rocky coast; large ice
cap in west 20 by 50 km, numerous other glaciers retreating
during this century, many rivers and lakes; rock is Miocene
basalt from 4 eruptive phases.
CLIMATE: wet sub-polar mean 4.5øC, over 1100 mm
WATER BALANCE: abundant surface water
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 6 Marine: 2
Varied vegetation with Kerguelen cabbage on cliffs, herb cushions and
peaty
areas on moraines and inland plateaus, dwarf shrubs in areas with
rabbits,
moors, grasses along stream banks and in bogs, feldmark above plateaus;
rocky
shores with abundant algae, Durvillea kelp inshore, Macrocystis kelp
beds in
deeper water
| SPECIES NUMBERS: |
Total |
Endemic |
Threatened (EVRI) |
| Plants |
36 |
2 |
0 |
| Butterflies |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land snails |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Rept/Amphib |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Land birds |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| Mammals |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SPECIES OF CONSERVATION INTEREST:
Plants:
36 vascular plants, including 2 endemics:
Ranunculus moseleyi (herb) endemic
Lyallia kerguelensis (herb) endemic
over 200 lichens, mosses and bryophytes
Invertebrates:
large number of arthropods
numerous endemic insects associated with Kerguelen cabbage
Birds:
30 breeding seabirds
Anas eatoni (Kerguelen Pintail) group endemic to southern
French islands
Chionis minor minor (Kerguelen Lesser Sheathbill) endemic
Mammals:
2 breeding seals
SPECIES RICHNESS:
Species Richness Indicator - Terrestrial: 0 Marine: 3
poor
ENDEMISM: Terrestrial: Terrestrial Endemism Indicator - Island: 1 Group: 1
2 plants, 1 bird
Marine endemic species: 0
Marine Endemism Indicator - Island: 0 Group: 0
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
seabird rookeries, seal colonies
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 4
many damaging introductions
Many alien plants widespread, aided by grazing damage to native plants.
Conifers introduced 1976. Rabbits introduced 1874 have devastated
Kerguelen
cabbage; feral sheep 1908-1932 and 1949-present (800 in 1975); mouflon
1956-
present (50 in 1968); reindeer 1956-present (2000 in 1974) have
destroyed
native vegetation and caused erosion, reducing seabird habitat. Mice
and rats
introduced with sealers, with impact on petrels and spread of seeds.
Cats
introduced early in 19th century but died out, re-introduced in 1950s
and now
number 3500 (1977) with severe effect on birds, killing more than 1
million
annually. Mink and dogs failed to establish. Horses, pigs and cattle
kept
near the scientific station. Several salmonid fishes introduced to
streams,
affecting local invertebrates.
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Inhabited, scientific station
Population: 92 (1980) Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Growth Rate: 0.0%/yr Stable
Major Human Activities: scientific research
HUMAN IMPACTS:
Sealing and whaling in 19th century; sheep station and whaling station
1908-
1932; scientific station established 1949
Habitat: research station Urban Pop: 0 Urban Indicator: 0
Conservation support: tenure, legislation, government support
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 1 Marine: 0
Number: 1 Area: Terrestrial: 80.0 sq. km Marine: 0 sq. km
Iles Nuageuses and northwest coast of Peninsule Loranchet included in
Parc
national antarctique franais (8,000 ha) 1938
DATA RELIABILITY: old Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 7 Moderate
CI-Marine: 8 Moderate
REFERENCES:
Clark, M.R. and Dingwall, P.R. 1985. Conservation of islands in the
Southern
Ocean: a review of the protected areas of Insulantarctica. IUCN,
Gland and
Cambridge. 193 p.
Last updated: 29/05/89
Ouest, Ile de l' (Ile de l'Ouest) [1178]
Group: Archipelago: Kerguelen (Iles)
Country: France - French Southern Terr- Kerguelen
Lat: 49.35º S Long : 68.73º E
Area: 33.1 sq. km Altitude: 617 m
Shoreline: 37.3 km (scale 1:1000000) Coastal Index: 1.1269
Depth to nearest land: 3000 m
Nearest island: 1 km group: 400 km
Nearest continent: Antarctica Distance: 1800 km Isolation Index: 63
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 2
CLIMATE: wet sub-polar 4.5øC, 1100 mm
ECOSYSTEMS:
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Conservation support: tenure, government support, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 0 Marine: 0
Number: 1 Area: Terrestrial: 0.0 sq. km Marine: 0 sq. km
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 2 Low
CI-Marine: 2 Low
Last updated: 28/05/89
Port, Ile du (Ile du Port) [1180]
Group: Archipelago: Kerguelen (Iles)
Country: France - French Southern Terr- Kerguelen: Southern
Lat: 49.19º SLong: 69.60º E
Area: 43.0 sq. km Altitude: 340 m Shoreline: 39.7 km (scale 1:1000000)
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic
Rennes, Ile aux (Ile aux Rennes) [1179]
Group: Archipelago: Kerguelen (Iles)
Country: France - French Southern Terr- Kerguelen: Southern
Lat: 49.54º SLong: 69.90º E
Area: 36.7 sq. km Altitude: 199 m Shoreline: 36.6 km (scale 1:1000000)
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic
Saint-Paul (St Paul, Ile St Paul) - including Roche Quille [1487]
Group: Archipelago: St Paul
Country: France - French Southern Terr. - St Paul
Lat: 38.72º S Long : 77.52º E
Area: 7.0 sq. km Altitude: 272 m
Depth to nearest land: 3000 m
Nearest island: 50 km group: 1200 km
Nearest continent: Antarctica Distance: 3000 km Isolation Index: 96
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic Natural Protection Indicator: 1
CLIMATE: moderate mild oceanic mean 13øC, 1100 mm
CATASTROPHIC THREATS: fires
Threat Indicator: 1
ECOSYSTEMS: Number of Ecosystems - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 1
Grass and tussock grass on dry lower slopes, sedges in wetter areas;
rocky
shores
SPECIAL FEATURES : Special Features Indicator - Terrestrial: 2 Marine: 0
seabird rookeries, seal colony
INVASIVE SPECIES: Invasive Species Indicator: 4
serious damage from invasive species
HUMAN OCCUPATION: Uninhabited, formerly inhabited, visited frequently
Population: 0 Density: 0.0 persons/sq. km
Maximum known population: 120
Major Human Activities: fishing
Conservation support: tenure, government support, legislation
PROTECTED AREAS: Protected Area Coverage Indicators - Terrestrial: 7 Marine: 0
Number: 1 Area: Terrestrial: 7.0 sq. km Marine: 0 sq. km
DATA RELIABILITY: partial Data Rel. Indicator: 2
HUMAN IMPACT INDEX HI: 4
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE INDEX CI-Terrestrial: 4 Low
CI-Marine: 3 Low
Last updated: 28/05/89
St Lanne Gramont (Ile St Lanne Gramont) [1181]
Group: Archipelago: Kerguelen (Iles)
Country: France - French Southern Terr- Kerguelen: Southern
Lat: 48.92º SLong: 69.20º E
Area: 45.8 sq. km Altitude: ? m Shoreline: 45.4 km (scale 1:1000000)
ISLAND TYPE: volcanic
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Page last updated: 09/05/10