Ecology and management of invasive plants in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions: evidence and synthesis from Macquarie Island

• Main Authors: Sindel, Brian M, School of Environmental and Rural Science, orcid:0000-0002-4100-218X, Wilson, Susan C, orcid:0000-0002-3409-0847, Wilson, Brian R, orcid:0000-0002-7983-0909, Hawking, Kirsten L, Zahid, Waqas, Iqbal, Ali, Williams, Laura K, Knox, Oliver G G, orcid:0000-0002-0414-5771, Coleman, Michael J, orcid:0000-0002-1910-7145, Kristiansen, Paul, orcid:0000-0003-2116-0663
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 2022
• Subjects: Antarctic; Southern Ocean; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica; Macquarie Island
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/53693

Background: The Antarctic is an extreme environment for plants. Several invasive plant species, however, have invaded the sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean islands and increasingly threaten the vulnerability of maritime and continental Antarctica, particularly with changes in climate. Aims: We provide an overview of issues to consider with regard to the impact, ecology and management of non-native plants in the Antarctic, focusing on knowledge gained and recent research results from the sub-Antarctic with possible application to Antarctica. Methods: We provide a brief review of literature and bring together experience and previously unpublished research with Poa annua and Stellaria media on Macquarie Island. Results: While no one set of biological characteristics predicts plant invasiveness in the sub-Antarctic, all are adapted to survive extreme cold conditions and persistence is enabled through large and long-lived soil seed banks. Ecological drivers for invasion include accidental human introductions and continuing movement, along with animal and other disturbance to soil. Conclusion: The invasive cold-tolerant plant species now prevalent on sub-Antarctic islands also pose a threat to Antarctica due to a warming climate and so efforts should continue to prevent further spread, while developing effective, low-impact control and eradication options to protect these high-value extreme ecosystems.