Seed dispersal characteristics to polar regions by means of visitors ...

• Main Authors: Chown, Steven L, Huiskes, Ad H L, Gremmen, Niek J M, Lee, Jennifer E, Terauds, Aleks, Crosbie, Kim, Frenot, Yves, Hughes, Kevin A, Imura, Satoshi, Kiefer, Kate, Lebouvier, Marc, Raymond, Ben, Tsujimoto, Megumu, Ware, Chris, Van de Vijver, Bart, Bergstrom, Dana Michelle
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: PANGAEA 2012
• Subjects: International Polar Year 2007-2008 IPY; Antarc*; Antarctica; International Polar Year; IPY
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.1594/pangaea.808344; https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.808344

Invasive alien species are among the primary causes of biodiversity change globally, with the risks thereof broadly understood for most regions of the world. They are similarly thought to be among the most significant conservation threats to Antarctica, especially as climate change proceeds in the region. However, no comprehensive, continent-wide evaluation of the risks to Antarctica posed by such species has been undertaken. Here we do so by sampling, identifying, and mapping the vascular plant propagules carried by all categories of visitors to Antarctica during the International Polar Year's first season (2007-2008) and assessing propagule establishment likelihood based on their identity and origins and on spatial variation in Antarctica's climate. For an evaluation of the situation in 2100, we use modeled climates based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Special Report on Emissions Scenarios Scenario A1B [Nakicenovic N, Swart R, eds (2000) Special Report on Emissions Scenarios: A Special ... : Data extracted in the frame of a joint ICSTI/PANGAEA IPY effort, see http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.150150 ...