The science-policy link in practice: how to propose an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA)?

The BelSPO projects ANTAR-IMPACT, BELDIVA and MICROBIAN and literature data concerning the biodiversity in the inland biotopes of the Western Sør Rondane Mountains (Dronning Maud Land) indicated a very rich and unique terrestrial biodiversity on the nunataks in the surroundings of Princess Elisabeth Station, including biofilms and Biological Soil Crusts. However, there is potential for negative impacts due to visits and (human) disturbances, mainly driven by the presence of infrastructures in the vicinity. Therefore, the involved scientists initiated the process of creating an ASPA in collaboration with the relevant ministries (Foreign Affairs, Environment and Science Policy). The first step was the submission of a Working Paper (WP42) at CEP XX (2017) with a Preliminary assessment of the values to be protected, using the template of Appendix 4 to the CEP XX report. Other countries scrutinized the document and raised useful comments and questions. The Information Paper (IP42) submitted at CEP XXI (2018) contained the answers to these questions. The next step was the writing of a Management Plan, based on a Guide that includes all the elements to describe (annex to Resolution 2 (2011)). Several versions were discussed, also with the station operator. The WP15 was finally presented to CEP XXIV that forwarded it to the Subsidiary Group on Management Plan, where it will be further improved during the intersessional period. The process was a learning experience for the scientists, from creating the maps to developing management options, and lastly communicating the importance of the area to policy- and decision-makers.MICROBIAN15. Life on lan

Drivers of the terrestrial cyanobacterial community composition in the Sør Rondane Mountains, East Antarctica

The sparse ice-free regions of Antarctica harbor diverse microbial communities that can vary significantly between regions and micro-climatic conditions. The factors responsible for the diversity and community structure in inland nunataks of East Antarctica are still poorly understood. During the BELSPO MICROBIAN project, three sampling campaigns took place in the Sør Rondane Mountains during the austral summers of 2018, 2019 and 2020, resulting in more than 100 samples ranging from different types of barren bedrock to substrates covered by biofilms and well-developed biological soil crusts including lichens, mosses, microalgae and/or cyanobacteria. Cyanobacterial diversity was assessed by amplicon sequencing targeting the V3-V4 variable region of the 16S rRNA gene with cyanobacteria-specific primers using the Illumina MiSeq platform (2x300 bp). The recently developed CyanoSeq database was used for the taxonomic affiliation of the OTUs (99% similarity threshold). Whilst favorable habitats, such as sheltered spots in rocky areas, enhance the development of different kinds of cyanobacterial crusts, cyanobacteria were present even in the most extreme ones. Granitic soils were dominated by very diverse cyanobacterial crusts, mostly composed by filamentous cyanobacteria of the Leptolynbyaceae, Oculatellaceae and Microcoleaceae families, and by Nostocaceae. Most abundant OTUs on gneiss bedrock were from the Cyanothecaceae and Microcoleaceae. In contrast, marble soils were dominated almost exclusively by the Chroococcidiopsaceae family. Moraine samples from very dry areas were mainly characterized by members of the Gomontiellaceae family whereas moraine samples taken close to a lake were rich in filamentous taxa as well, mostly belonging to the Leptolynbyaceae, Oculatellaceae and Gomontiellaceae families. Next to bedrock type, other abiotic variables such as pH, NO3 and TOC were especially important drivers of the community composition in each sampled site.MICROBIAN15. Life on lan