Trampling on maritime Antarctica: can soil ecosystems be effectively protected through existing codes of conduct?
Soil trampling is one of the most obvious direct negative human impacts in Antarctica. Through a range of experiments and field studies based on quantitative physical (soil penetration resistance) and biological (collembolan abundance) indicators, we evaluate the current codes of conduct relating to...
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Norwegian Polar Institute
2012
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v31i0.10888 https://doaj.org/article/7349bfe0f8e846e7bc5c9b41c040c32e |
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ftdoajarticles:oai:doaj.org/article:7349bfe0f8e846e7bc5c9b41c040c32e 2023-05-15T13:42:28+02:00 Trampling on maritime Antarctica: can soil ecosystems be effectively protected through existing codes of conduct? Pablo Tejedo Luis R. Pertierra Javier Benayas Peter Convey Ana Justel Antonio Quesada 2012-12-01T00:00:00Z https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v31i0.10888 https://doaj.org/article/7349bfe0f8e846e7bc5c9b41c040c32e EN eng Norwegian Polar Institute http://www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/10888/pdf_1 https://doaj.org/toc/0800-0395 https://doaj.org/toc/1751-8369 doi:10.3402/polar.v31i0.10888 0800-0395 1751-8369 https://doaj.org/article/7349bfe0f8e846e7bc5c9b41c040c32e Polar Research, Vol 31, Iss 0, Pp 1-13 (2012) Trampling impacts environmental monitoring low impact practices soil resilience soil penetration resistance collembolan abundance Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 article 2012 ftdoajarticles https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v31i0.10888 2022-12-31T02:57:16Z Soil trampling is one of the most obvious direct negative human impacts in Antarctica. Through a range of experiments and field studies based on quantitative physical (soil penetration resistance) and biological (collembolan abundance) indicators, we evaluate the current codes of conduct relating to the protection of Antarctic soils from the consequences of pedestrian impacts. These guidelines include using, where available, established paths that cross vegetation-free soils. However, the effectiveness of this strategy is highly dependent on context. Limited intensity use—below 100 foot passes per year—produces small changes at the soil surface that can recover relatively rapidly, suggesting that the dispersal of activity across wider corridors may be the most appropriate option. However, for paths with a higher use level and those located in steep-sloped sites, it is desirable to define a single track, following stony or bouldery surfaces wherever possible, to keep the disturbed area to a minimum. It is clear that both environmental conditions and expected use levels must be taken into account in determining when and where it is more appropriate to concentrate or disperse human activities. Even though they may have performed satisfactorily to date, the increasing pressure in terms of numbers of visits for certain sites may make it necessary to revise existing codes of conduct. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Polar Research Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles Antarctic Polar Research 31 1 10888 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
op_collection_id |
ftdoajarticles |
language |
English |
topic |
Trampling impacts environmental monitoring low impact practices soil resilience soil penetration resistance collembolan abundance Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 |
spellingShingle |
Trampling impacts environmental monitoring low impact practices soil resilience soil penetration resistance collembolan abundance Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 Pablo Tejedo Luis R. Pertierra Javier Benayas Peter Convey Ana Justel Antonio Quesada Trampling on maritime Antarctica: can soil ecosystems be effectively protected through existing codes of conduct? |
topic_facet |
Trampling impacts environmental monitoring low impact practices soil resilience soil penetration resistance collembolan abundance Environmental sciences GE1-350 Oceanography GC1-1581 |
description |
Soil trampling is one of the most obvious direct negative human impacts in Antarctica. Through a range of experiments and field studies based on quantitative physical (soil penetration resistance) and biological (collembolan abundance) indicators, we evaluate the current codes of conduct relating to the protection of Antarctic soils from the consequences of pedestrian impacts. These guidelines include using, where available, established paths that cross vegetation-free soils. However, the effectiveness of this strategy is highly dependent on context. Limited intensity use—below 100 foot passes per year—produces small changes at the soil surface that can recover relatively rapidly, suggesting that the dispersal of activity across wider corridors may be the most appropriate option. However, for paths with a higher use level and those located in steep-sloped sites, it is desirable to define a single track, following stony or bouldery surfaces wherever possible, to keep the disturbed area to a minimum. It is clear that both environmental conditions and expected use levels must be taken into account in determining when and where it is more appropriate to concentrate or disperse human activities. Even though they may have performed satisfactorily to date, the increasing pressure in terms of numbers of visits for certain sites may make it necessary to revise existing codes of conduct. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Pablo Tejedo Luis R. Pertierra Javier Benayas Peter Convey Ana Justel Antonio Quesada |
author_facet |
Pablo Tejedo Luis R. Pertierra Javier Benayas Peter Convey Ana Justel Antonio Quesada |
author_sort |
Pablo Tejedo |
title |
Trampling on maritime Antarctica: can soil ecosystems be effectively protected through existing codes of conduct? |
title_short |
Trampling on maritime Antarctica: can soil ecosystems be effectively protected through existing codes of conduct? |
title_full |
Trampling on maritime Antarctica: can soil ecosystems be effectively protected through existing codes of conduct? |
title_fullStr |
Trampling on maritime Antarctica: can soil ecosystems be effectively protected through existing codes of conduct? |
title_full_unstemmed |
Trampling on maritime Antarctica: can soil ecosystems be effectively protected through existing codes of conduct? |
title_sort |
trampling on maritime antarctica: can soil ecosystems be effectively protected through existing codes of conduct? |
publisher |
Norwegian Polar Institute |
publishDate |
2012 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v31i0.10888 https://doaj.org/article/7349bfe0f8e846e7bc5c9b41c040c32e |
geographic |
Antarctic |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Polar Research |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic Antarctica Polar Research |
op_source |
Polar Research, Vol 31, Iss 0, Pp 1-13 (2012) |
op_relation |
http://www.polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/10888/pdf_1 https://doaj.org/toc/0800-0395 https://doaj.org/toc/1751-8369 doi:10.3402/polar.v31i0.10888 0800-0395 1751-8369 https://doaj.org/article/7349bfe0f8e846e7bc5c9b41c040c32e |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v31i0.10888 |
container_title |
Polar Research |
container_volume |
31 |
container_issue |
1 |
container_start_page |
10888 |
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1766168376748539904 |