Impacts of local human activities on the Antarctic environment

We review the scientific literature, especially from the past decade, on the impacts of human activities on the Antarctic environment. A range of impacts has been identified at a variety of spatial and temporal scales. Chemical contamination and sewage disposal on the continent have been found to be long-lived. Contemporary sewage management practices at many coastal stations are insufficient to prevent local contamination but no introduction of non-indigenous organisms through this route has yet been demonstrated. Human activities, particularly construction and transport, have led to disturbances of flora and fauna. A small number of non-indigenous plant and animal species has become established, mostly on the northern Antarctic Peninsula and southern archipelagos of the Scotia Arc. There is little indication of recovery of overexploited fish stocks, and ramifications of fishing activity oil bycatch species and the ecosystem could also be far-reaching. The Antarctic Treaty System and its instruments, in particular the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Environmental Protocol, provide a framework within which management of human activities take place. In the face of the continuing expansion of human activities in Antarctica, a more effective implementation of a wide range of measures is essential, in order to ensure comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment, including its intrinsic, wilderness and scientific values which remains a fundamental principle of the Antarctic Treaty System. These measures include effective environmental impact assessments, long-term monitoring, mitigation measures for non-indigenous species, ecosystem-based management of living resources, and increased regulation of National Antarctic Programmes and tourism activities

Monogonont composition in different freshwater habitats on Spitsbergen (Arctic) and King George Island (Antarctica) (scientific paper)

The monogonont composition of two polar regions : Spitsbergen (Arctic) and King George Island (Antarctica) is compared. Four different freshwater habitats (moss banks, moraine ponds, nearshore ponds and thaw ponds) were surveyed. Twenty monogonont species on Spitsbergen and 11 species on King George Island were found. Euchlanis dilatata and Notholca salina were the most numerous monogononts in both regions respectively. The maximum number of species on Spitsbergen was observed in nearshore ponds (19), while on King George in thaw ponds (8). In each habitat species diversity was higher on Spitsbergen than on King George Island. Species composition was different because of : different sources of colonisation, longer colonisation on Spitsbergen than on King George Island, better developed tundra habitat on Spitsbergen with more abundant flora, and smaller geographical isolation of Spitsbergen from the place of colonizers origin

Tourism at Antarctic Arctowski Station 1991–1997: policies for better management. Polish Polar Research 18

ABSTRACT: Henryk Arctowski Station, the research station of the Polish Academy of Science in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, West Antarctica, is one of the most heavily visited bases in Antarctica. Between the seasons 1991/92 and 1996/97, 12884 tourists were recorded. A specially designed tourist trail was marked to divert visitors toward alternative attractions, not only the station buildings. Tourist management goals include: environmental protection, minimising waste and pollution, respecting the rules relating to protected areas, and prohibition of collections and souveniring