Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Aliens in Antarctica  (Aliens)

Outline
The impact of non-native (alien) species on ecosystems is one of the big issues of the 21st Century. Human travel is occurring at an unprecedented level across the globe. Currently alien microbes, fungi, plants and animals occur on some parts of the Antarctic continent and most of the sub-Antarctic islands. These have been transported to the region through human activity. Introduction routes are largely associated with movement of people and cargo in association with national scientific program and tourist operations. The impact of these alien species ranges from minor transient introduction to substantial loss of local biodiversity and changes to ecosystem processes and evolution. With rapid climate change occurring in some parts of Antarctica, greater numbers of introductions and enhanced success of colonization by aliens are likely, with consequent increases in impacts on ecosystems. This project aims to assess the extent in which the annual migratory human population carry propagules (seeds, spores, eggs) of alien species unintendedly into the Antarctic region. It will be the first time that an assessment of the extent of transfer of alien species into an entire biome has ever been made. This project will assess the propagule load carried by people on most of the Antarctic voyages/flights into the Antarctic and subantarctic islands during the 2007/08 summer of IPY.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This simple but extensive project will assess the current transfer of alien propagules into the Antarctic region under current logistic regimes as such is relevant to Theme 1. The impact of alien biota will lead to changes in ecosystems, particular under climate change (Theme 2). Due to the Antarctic Treaty system, and the COMNAP and SCAR collective and collaborative environment, the Antarctic provides an accessible logistic framework to calculate the propagule load for an entire biome. This has major implications for global conservation efforts as the findings will be directly applicable to human travel globally (Theme 3). As human are the vectors of alien propagules this project has a human dimension and the outcomes will directly feed into conservation management of Antarctica (Theme 6)

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project will be based within the EBA-SCAR program and it is actively seeking involvement from COMNAP. The project will be presented to COMNAP in July 2005 for their support. The project will attempt to get ALL national operators participating as well as IAATO members involved.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Teams from all national operators will conduct simple standardised vacuuming of expeditions exterior clothing and equipment on as many Antarctic vessels that will have terrestrial landing as possible. These vacuuming will be examined by scientific teams in each country and the results assembled by a task group of the EBA programme(SCAR Evolution and Biodiversity in Antarctica)

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 10/07 – 05/08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This project will make use of the current National and tourist operator logistics during the first IPY austral summer (2007/08)

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
There will be no physical infrastructure but it is anticipated that there will be a conservation legacy through the potential need to modify logistic practices towards the goal of best practice to minimise alien threats to the Antarctic

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
National agency

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This project is part of SCAR EBA activities. Endorsement is being sort from national bodies.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organised managed through a SCAR EBA steering committee. This committee will liaise with COMNAP members

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
It is envisaged that sorting of samples collected will be done through a network of undergraduate science and conservation students across the nations. This will have a major outreach effect for Antarctic conservation.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management will be based at the Australian Antarctic Data Centre. Data entry will be through web-based portal as will data analysis and outcomes.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding for this low cost project will be sought from national agencies through national programs.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Dana Bergstrom
203 Channel Highway Kingston, Tasmania


7050
Australia

Tel: +61 3 62323442
Mobile: no
Fax: +61 3 62323449
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation