Environmental management in Antarctica using geographical information systems ...

• Main Author: Harris, Colin Malcolm
• Format: Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository 1993
• Subjects: Antarc*; Antarctic; Antarctica; King George Island; South Shetland Islands
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.17863/cam.14153; https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/268041

This dissertation examines terrestrial and near-shore marine environmental management problems in Antarctica, emphasising the potential application of Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Rules for environmental management in Antarctica have been agreed within the Antarctic Treaty system (ATS) and in the 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. However, barriers exist to the implementation of environmental policies: King George Island, South Shetland Islands, where currently 8 countries operate permanent scientific stations, exhibits practical examples of the resulting problems. Designation of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) and Antarctic Specially Managed Areas (ASMAs) under the Protocol would improve management in this complex multinational context, but it is concluded these currently lack a standardised set of zones that can be applied to meet management needs. Five types of management zone are therefore proposed to define those areas with special qualities or ...