NATIONAL WILDERNESS RED INDEX

Published by the Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd. 30/09/94
Level 2, 332 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.
Ph (02) 9261 2400; Fax (02) 9261 2144.

Name:

HEARD ISLAND

Nominated by:

Not recorded

Location:

Approximately 1,500 kilometers north of Antarctica in
the Southern Ocean.


Size

For size and tenure information contact the Colong Foundation.

DESCRIPTION

Heard Island, lying approximately 1,500 kilometres north of the
Antarctic continent in the Southern Ocean, consists of a
dome-shaped volcano reaching to a height of 2,754 metres and
covered by a thick ice cap. The volcano, known as Big Ben, has
been active in recent times. There are a number of glaciers on
the slopes of the mountain, terminating in ice cliffs at the
shoreline. Immediately offshore a number of stacks rise from
the sea, the eroded remains of volcanic craters [1].

Ice-free areas on Heard Island support vegetation, however, only eight
species of vascular plants have been recorded. Common plant
species are the tussock grass Poa cookii and cushion plant
Azorella selage. Mosses, Liverworts and lichens are common [2].


Heard Island carries an abundant fauna, notably birds and
seals. A particular feature are the large colonies of Macaroni
Pigeons. Fur Seals and Elephant Seals occur in large numbers
[3].

ENDANGERED SPECIES

LAND USE HISTORY

The island was occupied by sealers in the mid 19th century, but little
evidence of their presence remains; fortunately, unlike the
experience on other sub-Antarctic islands, none of the exotic
animals introduced to Heard Island by sealers have survived
[4].

CONSERVATION HISTORY THREATS CONTACTS

No contacts are recorded from that area.

ENDNOTES

1 Prineas, P., Lembit, R., Fisher, N., 1986,
"Australia's Wilderness An Inventory".

2 Prineas, 1986.

3 Prineas, 1986.

4 Prineas, 1986.

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