Pressures affecting the Antarctic terrestrial environment

Antarctic environment (2016, 2011)

Pressures affecting the Antarctic terrestrial environment

Changes in ambient temperature

Populations of some native plants are expanding rapidly on subantarctic islands where ice-free areas are increasing. Composition of plant assemblages may change as non-native species become established

Year(s):

2016

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Comparable

Changes in ambient temperature

20162011

Antarctic environment

Pressures

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'Pressures' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Doran et al. 2002

Doran, P, Priscu, J, Lyons, W, Walsh, J, Fountaind, A, McKnigth, D, Moorhead, D, Virginia, R, Wall, D, Clow, G, Fritsen, C, McKay, C and Parsons, A (2002). Antarctic climate cooling and terrestrial ecosystem response.. Nature, 415, 517-20.

Selkirk-Bell & Selkirk 2013

Selkirk-Bell, J & Selkirk, P (2013). Vegetation-banked terraces on subantarctic Macquarie Island: a reappraisal.. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 45, 261-74.

Comments

Assessment remains the same as in 2011.

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

At the Antarctic Peninsula, populations of two native flowering plants are expanding rapidly; similar observations have been made on subantarctic islands where ice-free areas are increasing; composition of plant assemblages may change

Year(s):

2011

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Changes in water availability

In some areas of East Antarctica, there is evidence of long-term drying, and moss beds appear to have contracted to areas with reliable water supply

Year(s):

2016

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Comparable

Changes in water availability

20162011

Antarctic environment

Pressures

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'Pressures' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Hedding et al. 2015

Hedding D, Nel W & Anderson R (2015). Aeolian processes and landforms in the sub-Antarctic: preliminary observations from Marion Island. Polar Research, 34, 263-5.

Selkirk-Bell & Selkirk 2013

Selkirk-Bell, J & Selkirk, P (2013). Vegetation-banked terraces on subantarctic Macquarie Island: a reappraisal.. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 45, 261-74.

Comments

Assessment remains the same as in 2011.

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

In East Antarctica, mosses are drying out rapidly due to ice melt and channel run-off away from existing moss beds

Year(s):

2011

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Changes in wind patterns

In East Antarctica, moss growth is retarded because of changes in wind patterns related to ozone depletion

Year(s):

2016

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Comparable

Changes in wind patterns

2016

Antarctic environment

Pressures

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'Pressures' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Hedding et al. 2015

Hedding D, Nel W & Anderson R (2015). Aeolian processes and landforms in the sub-Antarctic: preliminary observations from Marion Island. Polar Research, 34, 263-5.

Selkirk-Bell & Selkirk 2013

Selkirk-Bell, J & Selkirk, P (2013). Vegetation-banked terraces on subantarctic Macquarie Island: a reappraisal.. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 45, 261-74.

Comments

This assessment was not made in 2011.

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Introduction of non-native species and pathogens

This assessment summary component has changed from 2011.

The term 'alien species' has been replaced with 'non-native species'.

The original 2011 summary, grade, trend and confidence levels have been replicated here to assist comparison of changes between reporting cycles.

Introduction of alien species and pathogens

Invasive species can have a devastating effect on endemic species and communities. Poa annua, a small grass, is spreading and outcompetes native plant species. The eradication program of cats, rabbits, rats and mice at Macquarie Island has been completed successfully and has had a positive effect on plant communities (see State and trends of the Antarctic environment)

Further warming of the atmosphere may help pathogens and non-native species to become established

Year(s):

2016

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Comparable

Introduction of non-native species and pathogens

20162011

Antarctic environment

Pressures

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'Pressures' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Hughes & Convey 2014

Hughes K & Convey P (2014). Alien invasions in Antarctica<—>is anyone liable? Polar Research, 33:22103.

Hughes et al. 2015

Hughes K, Pertierra L, Molina-Montenegro M & Convey P (2015). Biological invasions in terrestrial Antarctica: what is the current status and can we respond? Biodiversity and Conservation, 24:1031-1055.

Maida et al. 2015

Maida I, Bosi E, Fondi M, Perrin E, Orlandini V, Papaleo M, Mengoni A, de Pascale D, Tutino M, Michaud L & Giudice A (2015). Antimicrobial activity of Pseudoalteromonas strains isolated from the Ross Sea (Antarctica) versus cystic fibrosis opportunistic pathogens. Hydrobiologia, 761:443-57.

Vanstreels et al. 2014

Vanstreels R, Miranda F, Ruoppolo V, de Almeida Reis A, Costa E, de Lira Pessôa A, Torres J, da Cunha L, da Cruz Piuco R, Valiati V, González-Acuña D, Labruna MB, Petry MV, Epiphanio S & Catão-Dias JL (2014). Investigation of blood parasites of pygoscelid penguins at the King George and Elephant Islands, South Shetlands Archipelago, Antarctica. In: Polar Biology, 37, 135-9.

Yergeau et al. 2012

Yergeau E, Bokhorst S, Kang S, Zhou J, Greer CW, Aerts R & Kowalchuk GA (2012). Shifts in soil microorganisms in response to warming are consistent across a range of Antarctic environments. The ISME Journal, 6:692-702.

Comments

Assessment remains the same as in 2011.

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Invasive species can have a devastating effect on endemic species and communities. The eradication program currently under way at Macquarie Island will have a positive effect on seabird populations Further warming of the atmosphere may help pathogens to become established

Year(s):

2011

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not comparable

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Erosion

More ice-free areas are likely to suffer from erosion, especially on subantarctic islands

Year(s):

2016

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Comparable

Erosion

20162011

Antarctic environment

Pressures

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'Pressures' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Hedding et al. 2015

Hedding D, Nel W & Anderson R (2015). Aeolian processes and landforms in the sub-Antarctic: preliminary observations from Marion Island. Polar Research, 34, 263-5.

Selkirk-Bell & Selkirk 2013

Selkirk-Bell, J & Selkirk, P (2013). Vegetation-banked terraces on subantarctic Macquarie Island: a reappraisal.. Arctic, Antarctic and Alpine Research, 45, 261-74.

Comments

Assessment remains the same as in 2011.

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

More ice-free areas are likely to suffer from erosion, especially on subantarctic islands

Year(s):

2011

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Pollution

Deposition of solid and liquid wastes can affect both terrestrial and marine communities

Impacts tend to be localised, but pollutants also come from nonlocal sources and are likely to contaminate much larger regions

Year(s):

2016

Deteriorating

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Comparable

Pollution

20162011

Antarctic environment

Pressures

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'Pressures' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Cabrerizo et al. 2012

Cabrerizo A, Dachs J, Barceló D & Jones K (2012). Influence of organic matter content and human activities on the occurrence of organic pollutants in Antarctic soils, lichens, grass, and mosses. Environmental Science and Technology, 46, 1396-405.

Klein et al. 2014

Klein A, Sweet S, Kennicutt II M, Wade T, Palmer T & Montagna P (2014). Long-term Monitoring of Human Impacts to the Terrestrial Environment at McMurdo Station. In: Tin T, M. D. (ed.) Antarctic Futures â Human engagement with the Antarctic environment. Springer Netherlands.

Comments

Assessment remains the same as in 2011.

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Deposition of solid and liquid wastes can impact both terrestrial and marine communities. Impacts tend to be localised, but pollutants are also received from non-local sources and are likely to contaminate much larger regions

Year(s):

2011

Deteriorating

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Marine debris

Deposition of marine debris, particularly plastics, can lead to ingestion by, and entanglement of, seabirds and seals. Negative impacts on chicks are also possible, because ingested debris may leach harmful chemicals

Year(s):

2016

Deteriorating

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Marine debris

2016

Antarctic environment

Pressures

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'Pressures' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Eriksson et al., 2013

Eriksson, C., Burton, H., Fitch, S., Schulz, M. and van den Hoff, J. 2013. Daily accumulation rates of marine debris on sub-Antarctic island beaches.. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 66, 199-208.

Bravo Rebolledo and van Franeker, 2015

Bravo Rebolledo, E. and van Franeker, J. 2015. Impact of marine debris on Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Cape Shirreff: diet dependent ingestion and entanglement.. IMARES, DenHelder, 7.

Comments

This assessment was not made in 2011.

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Wildlife disturbance

Increased visitation puts pressure on wildlife populations. With increasing demands to see wildlife, more areas may be visited more often and by more people. More research activities may also increase wildlife disturbance. New technology such as drones may disturb wildlife

Year(s):

2016

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Comparable

Wildlife disturbance

20162011

Antarctic environment

Pressures

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'Pressures' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Chown et al. 2012

Chown S, Lee J, Hughes K, Barnes J, Barrett P, Bergstrom D, Convey P, Cowan D, Crosbie K, Dyer G & Frenot Y (2012). Challenges to the future conservation of the Antarctic. Science, 337, 158-159.

Rümmler et al. 2016

Rümmler, M., Mustafa, O., Maercker, J., Peter, H. and Esefeld, J. 2016. Measuring the influence of unmanned aerial vehicles on Adélie penguins.. Polar Biology, 39, 1329â1334.

Tablado & Jenni 2015

Tablado Z & Jenni L (2015). Determinants of uncertainty in wildlife responses to human disturbance. Biological Reviews.

Tin et al. 2014

Tin T, Lamers M, Liggett D, Maher P & Hughes K (2014). Setting the scene: Human activities, environmental impacts and governance arrangements in Antarctica. In: Tin T . L. D. (ed.) Antarctic Futures: Human engagement with the Antarctic environment. Netherlands.: Springer.

Comments

Assessment remains the same as in 2011.

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Increased visitation puts pressure on wildlife populations; with increasing demands to see wildlife, more areas may be visited more frequently and in greater numbers

Year(s):

2011

Unclear

Confidence (in grade):

Limited

Confidence (in trend):

Limited

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Physical disturbance and habitat loss

Many human activities significantly alter the natural environment. Visitation can negatively affect habitat—for example, through trampling

Year(s):

2016

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Comparable

Physical disturbance and habitat loss

20162011

Antarctic environment

Pressures

Approach/Process

Expert consultation was used to determine state and trends.

Data/Information sources

In addition to the references cited in the 'Pressures' section, the following references also support this assessment:

Tejedo et al. 2012

Tejedo P, Pertierra L, Benayas J, Convey P, Justel A & Quesada A (2012). Trampling on maritime Antarctica: can soil ecosystems be effectively protected through existing codes of conduct?. Polar Research, 31, 1-13.

Trathan et al. 2015

Trathan PN, GarcÍa–Borboroglu P, Boersma D, Bost CA, Crawford RJ, Crossin GT, Cuthbert RJ, Dann P, Davis LS, De La Puente S, U Ellenberg, Lynch H, Mattern T, Putz K, Seddon P, Trivelpiece W & Wienecke B (2015). Pollution, habitat loss, fishing, and climate change as critical threats to penguins.. Conservation Biology., 29, 31-41.

Comments

Assessment remains the same as in 2011.

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Many human activities significantly alter the natural environment (e.g. stations); visitation can negatively affect habitat through trampling

Year(s):

2011

Stable

Confidence (in grade):

Adequate

Confidence (in trend):

Adequate

Comparability (to previous reports):

Not assessed

Topics

Pressures on the terrestrial environment

Assessment Summary Key

Grades

Very low impact

There are few short-term, reversible impacts from this factor

Low impact

There are transitory impacts from this factor, but they are locally restricted

High impact

There are significant impacts from this factor (may be cumulative); impacts are region specific and may become irreversible in future

Very high impact

There are predicted significant impacts from this factor that are irreversible; impact is region specific

Recent Trends

Improving
Stable
Deteriorating
Unclear

Confidence

Adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence and high level of consensus
Somewhat adequate: Adequate high-quality evidence or high level of consensus
Limited: Limited evidence or limited consensus
Very limited: Limited evidence and limited consensus
Low: Evidence and consensus too low to make an assessment

Comparability

Comparable: Grade and trend are comparable to the previous assessment
Somewhat comparable: Grade and trend are somewhat comparable to the previous assessment
Not comparable: Grade and trend are not comparable to the previous assessment
Not previously assessed

Klekociuk A, Wienecke B (2016). Antarctic environment: Pressures affecting the Antarctic terrestrial environment. In: Australia state of the environment 2016, Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra, https://soe.environment.gov.au/assessment-summary-712-pressures-affecting-antarctic-terrestrial-environment, DOI 10.4226/94/58b65b2b307c0

The assessment summaries in State of the Environment reporting provide snapshots of key information, and focus on identifying areas for continued or more concentrated attention on strengthening environmental systems to cope with pressures in the future. Assessment summaries are provided for state and trend, pressures and management responses in each of the themes. The summary text in the assessment tables should be read in conjunction with the explanatory text in each section of the theme chapters.

The authors have indicated the strength of the evidence for assessments with a ‘level of confidence’. If adequate high-quality data were available or consensus was high, confidence is indicated as high. If there were only limited data or consensus to determine grades, confidence is indicated as low. Where data are insufficient to attempt scores, this is also indicated, and the component remains on the list to remind readers that it is still an important aspect of the Australian environment, and that more information is needed to improve our understanding and capacity to respond to environmental challenges.

Pressures affecting the Antarctic terrestrial environment