The impacts of trampling and ground disturbances on Antarctic soils

• Main Authors: Tejedo, Pablo, O'Neill, Tanya
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Antarctic Environments Portal 2018
• Subjects: Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.18124/d44k9h; https://www.environments.aq/emerging-issues/the-impacts-of-trampling-and-ground-disturbances-on-antarctic-soils/

Antarctic soils are particularly vulnerable to disturbance due to their biological and physical properties and naturally slow recovery rates that are suppressed by low temperatures and sometimes low moisture availability. As most human activities are concentrated in relatively small scattered ice-free areas, the potential for adverse human impacts is great. Antarctic soils provide habitat for fauna and flora which are regionally important and, in some cases, include endemic representatives. Thus, protection of this component of the ecosystem should be a priority. Human trampling and track formation as a result of field camp installation, scientific activities and tourism can produce some undesirable consequences on soils. These impacts affect soil physicochemical and biological properties at different scales, ranging from populations to communities, and even habitats. The longevity of disturbances depends on soil type, regional climate, impact severity, remediation effort (if any), and what components of the ecosystem are being affected. In some cases, impacts continue decades after disturbance. Scientists have analysed these impacts, soil vulnerability and recoverability, and guidelines have been proposed to minimize the consequences of human pressures on soil environments. : Human disturbance Environmental damage Non-native species Environmental monitoring Soil