Alien species threaten Antarctica
Source: Agencies |
March 7, 2012, Wednesday
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IN the pristine frozen continent of Antarctica scientists fear an alien invasion - not from outer space, but carried in people's pockets and bags.
Seeds and plants accidentally brought to Antarctica by tourists and scientists may introduce alien plant species which could threaten the survival of native plants in the fragile ecosystem.
Invasive alien plants are amongst the most significant conservation threat to Antarctica, especially as climate change warms the ice continent, said a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Journal published yesterday.
More than 33,000 tourists and 7,000 scientists visit Antarctica each year by ship and aircraft, and a two-month survey of visitors has found that many are carrying plant seeds picked up from other countries.
The study vacuumed travelers' pockets, trouser and sleeve cuffs, shoes and inside their bags, and used tweezers to pry out accidentally hidden seeds. On average, each person had 9.5 seeds in clothing and equipment.
"The people carrying the most had lots and lots of seeds. They really were substantial threats," said Dana Bergstrom, from the Australian Antarctic Division.
"When we take things in through hitchhiking, then we get species which are competitive. The plants and animals there are not necessarily competitive, so there's a good chance ... we'd start losing biodiversity on the continent," Bergstrom said.
Among the alien species discovered were the Iceland poppy, tall fescue velvet grass and annual winter grass - all capable of growing in Antarctica.
The Antarctic Peninsula, where most tourists go, is now considered a "hot spot" and the warmer the climate, the easier for seeds to propagate.
The study, the first continent-wide assessment of invasive species in Antarctica, surveyed about 1,000 passengers during 2007-2008, the first year of the International Polar Year.
Bergstrom said annual winter grass has become a substantial weed in the sub-Antarctic, is on King George Island and has made its way to the tail part of the Antarctic continent.
It grows well in disturbed areas such as seal and penguin areas, and Bergstrom fears could propagate among slow growing mosses around those colonies.
Seeds and plants accidentally brought to Antarctica by tourists and scientists may introduce alien plant species which could threaten the survival of native plants in the fragile ecosystem.
Invasive alien plants are amongst the most significant conservation threat to Antarctica, especially as climate change warms the ice continent, said a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Journal published yesterday.
More than 33,000 tourists and 7,000 scientists visit Antarctica each year by ship and aircraft, and a two-month survey of visitors has found that many are carrying plant seeds picked up from other countries.
The study vacuumed travelers' pockets, trouser and sleeve cuffs, shoes and inside their bags, and used tweezers to pry out accidentally hidden seeds. On average, each person had 9.5 seeds in clothing and equipment.
"The people carrying the most had lots and lots of seeds. They really were substantial threats," said Dana Bergstrom, from the Australian Antarctic Division.
"When we take things in through hitchhiking, then we get species which are competitive. The plants and animals there are not necessarily competitive, so there's a good chance ... we'd start losing biodiversity on the continent," Bergstrom said.
Among the alien species discovered were the Iceland poppy, tall fescue velvet grass and annual winter grass - all capable of growing in Antarctica.
The Antarctic Peninsula, where most tourists go, is now considered a "hot spot" and the warmer the climate, the easier for seeds to propagate.
The study, the first continent-wide assessment of invasive species in Antarctica, surveyed about 1,000 passengers during 2007-2008, the first year of the International Polar Year.
Bergstrom said annual winter grass has become a substantial weed in the sub-Antarctic, is on King George Island and has made its way to the tail part of the Antarctic continent.
It grows well in disturbed areas such as seal and penguin areas, and Bergstrom fears could propagate among slow growing mosses around those colonies.
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