Impacts of Local Human Activities on the Antarctic Environment

• Published in: Antarctic Science
• Main Authors: Tin, T, Fleming, ZL, Hughes, KA, Ainley, DG, Convey, P, Morena, CA, Pfeiffer, S, Scott, JJ, Snape, I
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press 2009
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences; Environmental Science and Management; Environmental Management; Antarctic; Antarctic Peninsula; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctic Science; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954102009001722; http://ecite.utas.edu.au/62007

We review the scientific literature, especially from the past decade, on the impacts of humanactivities on the Antarctic environment. A range of impacts has been identified at a variety of spatial andtemporal scales. Chemical contamination and sewage disposal on the continent have been found to belong-lived. Contemporary sewage management practices at many coastal stations are insufficient to preventlocal contamination but no introduction of non-indigenous organisms through this route has yet beendemonstrated. Human activities, particularly construction and transport, have led to disturbances of floraand fauna. A small number of non-indigenous plant and animal species has become established, mostly onthe northern Antarctic Peninsula and southern archipelagos of the Scotia Arc. There is little indication ofrecovery of overexploited fish stocks, and ramifications of fishing activity on bycatch species and theecosystem could also be far-reaching. The Antarctic Treaty System and its instruments, in particular theConvention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources and the Environmental Protocol,provide a framework within which management of human activities take place. In the face of thecontinuing expansion of human activities in Antarctica, a more effective implementation of a wide range ofmeasures is essential, in order to ensure comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment, includingits intrinsic, wilderness and scientific values which remains a fundamental principle of the Antarctic TreatySystem. These measures include effective environmental impact assessments, long-term monitoring,mitigation measures for non-indigenous species, ecosystem-based management of living resources, andincreased regulation of National Antarctic Programmes and tourism activities.