The French Austral Lands and Seas is a group of isolated volcanic islands in the sub-Antarctic region. Comprising the Crozet Archipelago, Kerguelen Islands and Amsterdam and St Paul Islands, the property is known for its rich diversity of marine birds, especially the world’s largest colony of King Penguins and yellow-nosed albatrosses. The islands are also home to mammals such as seals and dolphins.
Because of its huge size – more than 672 000 km2 –, this site contains a high representation of the biodiversity of the Southern Ocean and protects the ecological processes that are essential for these species to thrive. For this reason, the territory plays a key role in the health of oceans worldwide, particularly in the regulation of the carbon cycle.
As a result of their great distance from centres of human activities, the French Austral Lands and Seas are very well preserved showcases of biological evolution and therefore unique areas for scientific research, particularly for long-term monitoring of populations of marine birds and mammals and for the study of the effects of global change. Aware of this exceptional heritage, the authority of the French Austral Lands and Seas, through the nature reserve and with the commitment of the scientific community, has adopted a proven and recognized management system to ensure its preservation for future generations.
Picture Credit : Google