Environmental management of a scientific field camp in Maritime Antarctica: reconciling research impacts with conservation goals in remote ice-free areas
Abstract Currently, a substantial proportion of Antarctic research is carried out through deployment of field camps, but little detailed information on the running of these facilities is often available. The remoteness of camps and the fragility of local Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems make the run...
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Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press (CUP)
2013
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102012001083 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102012001083 |
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crcambridgeupr:10.1017/s0954102012001083 2024-10-13T14:03:17+00:00 Environmental management of a scientific field camp in Maritime Antarctica: reconciling research impacts with conservation goals in remote ice-free areas Pertierra, Luis R. Hughes, Kevin A. Benayas, Javier Justel, Ana Quesada, Antonio 2013 http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102012001083 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102012001083 en eng Cambridge University Press (CUP) https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms Antarctic Science volume 25, issue 2, page 307-317 ISSN 0954-1020 1365-2079 journal-article 2013 crcambridgeupr https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954102012001083 2024-09-18T04:01:43Z Abstract Currently, a substantial proportion of Antarctic research is carried out through deployment of field camps, but little detailed information on the running of these facilities is often available. The remoteness of camps and the fragility of local Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems make the running of sustainable, low impact field science and logistics in ice-free areas a challenge for environmental managers. In this study we examined the environmental management at the Spanish camp within Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) No. 126 Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands. Firstly, the input of materials and generation of pollution associated with the camp during a ten year period of operation was quantified. Examination of greenhouse gas emissions shows a mean of 14 t CO 2 equivalent per researcher associated with transportation of people to the site, plus 44 t CO 2 equivalent per researcher, associated with transportation of cargo to the field site. Secondly, the cumulative trampling footprint across Byers Peninsula and associated local impacts were recorded. Results showed the pattern of human movement within the ASPA and how activities concentrated around the field camp site. At the same time every effort was taken to ensure scientific outputs from research activities within the ASPA were maximized. Practical recommendations on operational logistics are discussed to minimize environmental impacts and optimize scientific benefits. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctic Antarctic Science Antarctica Livingston Island South Shetland Islands Cambridge University Press Antarctic South Shetland Islands Livingston Island ENVELOPE(-60.500,-60.500,-62.600,-62.600) Byers ENVELOPE(-60.283,-60.283,-63.900,-63.900) Byers peninsula ENVELOPE(-61.066,-61.066,-62.633,-62.633) Antarctic Science 25 2 307 317 |
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Open Polar |
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Cambridge University Press |
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crcambridgeupr |
language |
English |
description |
Abstract Currently, a substantial proportion of Antarctic research is carried out through deployment of field camps, but little detailed information on the running of these facilities is often available. The remoteness of camps and the fragility of local Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems make the running of sustainable, low impact field science and logistics in ice-free areas a challenge for environmental managers. In this study we examined the environmental management at the Spanish camp within Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) No. 126 Byers Peninsula, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands. Firstly, the input of materials and generation of pollution associated with the camp during a ten year period of operation was quantified. Examination of greenhouse gas emissions shows a mean of 14 t CO 2 equivalent per researcher associated with transportation of people to the site, plus 44 t CO 2 equivalent per researcher, associated with transportation of cargo to the field site. Secondly, the cumulative trampling footprint across Byers Peninsula and associated local impacts were recorded. Results showed the pattern of human movement within the ASPA and how activities concentrated around the field camp site. At the same time every effort was taken to ensure scientific outputs from research activities within the ASPA were maximized. Practical recommendations on operational logistics are discussed to minimize environmental impacts and optimize scientific benefits. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Pertierra, Luis R. Hughes, Kevin A. Benayas, Javier Justel, Ana Quesada, Antonio |
spellingShingle |
Pertierra, Luis R. Hughes, Kevin A. Benayas, Javier Justel, Ana Quesada, Antonio Environmental management of a scientific field camp in Maritime Antarctica: reconciling research impacts with conservation goals in remote ice-free areas |
author_facet |
Pertierra, Luis R. Hughes, Kevin A. Benayas, Javier Justel, Ana Quesada, Antonio |
author_sort |
Pertierra, Luis R. |
title |
Environmental management of a scientific field camp in Maritime Antarctica: reconciling research impacts with conservation goals in remote ice-free areas |
title_short |
Environmental management of a scientific field camp in Maritime Antarctica: reconciling research impacts with conservation goals in remote ice-free areas |
title_full |
Environmental management of a scientific field camp in Maritime Antarctica: reconciling research impacts with conservation goals in remote ice-free areas |
title_fullStr |
Environmental management of a scientific field camp in Maritime Antarctica: reconciling research impacts with conservation goals in remote ice-free areas |
title_full_unstemmed |
Environmental management of a scientific field camp in Maritime Antarctica: reconciling research impacts with conservation goals in remote ice-free areas |
title_sort |
environmental management of a scientific field camp in maritime antarctica: reconciling research impacts with conservation goals in remote ice-free areas |
publisher |
Cambridge University Press (CUP) |
publishDate |
2013 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0954102012001083 https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0954102012001083 |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-60.500,-60.500,-62.600,-62.600) ENVELOPE(-60.283,-60.283,-63.900,-63.900) ENVELOPE(-61.066,-61.066,-62.633,-62.633) |
geographic |
Antarctic South Shetland Islands Livingston Island Byers Byers peninsula |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic South Shetland Islands Livingston Island Byers Byers peninsula |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctic Science Antarctica Livingston Island South Shetland Islands |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctic Science Antarctica Livingston Island South Shetland Islands |
op_source |
Antarctic Science volume 25, issue 2, page 307-317 ISSN 0954-1020 1365-2079 |
op_rights |
https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1017/s0954102012001083 |
container_title |
Antarctic Science |
container_volume |
25 |
container_issue |
2 |
container_start_page |
307 |
op_container_end_page |
317 |
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1812819715596222464 |