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SCAR Bulletin No 134, July 1999
Summary Reports to XXV SCAR
Concepción, Chile, 27-31 July, 1998.
- Biology
- Human Biology and Medicine
- Geodesy and Geographic Information
- Solid-Earth Geophysics
- Geology and Solid-Earth Geophysics
- Geology
- PACA
- STAR
Working Group on Biology
1. Welcome and apologies
The Chairman welcomed members and observers.
2. Adoption of agenda
The draft agenda was adopted with three additions.
3. Report of 1996 meeting in Cambridge, UK
This report of the previous meeting was accepted.
4. Matters arising
The Chairman noted that full reports from Working Groups should be published in hard copy.
D W H Walton reported that the 6th Biology Symposium volume had now been published despite various production difficulties. The Chairman suggested that the editors further advise the local organizing committee of the 7th SCAR Biology Symposium concerning these difficulties.
J. Montgomery reported on behalf of the local organizing committee for the 7th SCAR Symposium on Antarctic Biology, September 1998, Christchurch, New Zealand. 200 registrations had been received to date from 19 countries, with submissions addressing all themes. Oral presentations had been selected on the grounds of interest, and equity with regard to country and gender representation. Due to the high cost of publishing in journal special issues, it had been decided to produce a single edited volume from the meeting. The Steering Committee for the SCAR Antarctic Biology Symposium met during the week of the Working Group meeting.
The Netherlands' offer to host the 8th SCAR Biology Symposium in Amsterdam in 2001 was gratefully accepted. The theme is Antarctic Biology in a Global Context.
Following the closure of the Group of Specialists on Southern Ocean Ecology (GOSSOE) at XXIV SCAR, some issues relating to Antarctic marine research are now being handled by EASIZ, and others through the work of GLOCHANT. Many other topics relating to Southern Ocean marine research are, however, now being developed and coordinated within SCOR and CCAMLR. The concern that biological sciences were not well represented in GLOCHANT, had now largely been addressed by its new structure. I D Goodwin and J H Priddle encouraged direct contact with the GLOCHANT office in Hobart, although concern remains that important areas of Antarctic research are being developed outside SCAR.
Ice-core drilling at Lake Vostok had been terminated ~100 m above the ice–water interface. Limnology and microbiology of the lake are of considerable interest and geological sampling of sediments should be accompanied by biological work. It was agreed that J C Ellis-Evans should represent the Working Group at future meetings. F J Carsey (NASA, JPL) presented an overview of the proposed investigation of Lake Vostok using robotic technology and a proposal for a workshop on Lake Vostok exploration. The Working Group supported the proposal for a workshop on the exploration of Lake Vostok and agreed that national research agencies should be made aware of developments.
It was noted that the Certified Reference Materials (sediment and krill) being prepared by S Caroli of Italy would be available by the end of 1998.
The workshop "Relations between the Antarctic and Magellan region" was held in Punta Arenas, July 1997, and attracted over 100 participants, resulting in 55 papers to be published in Scientia Marina.
5. Scientific Matters from XXI and XXII ATCM
XXI ATCM
SCAR submitted five information and three working papers. New management plans were agreed for: Beaufort Island; Cape Evans; Lewis Bay Tomb; Canada Glacier; Potter Peninsula; Harmony Point; Cierva Point; Botany Bay; Change to restricted zone at Tramway Ridge. In addition there were papers on the following subjects of interest to the Working Group on Biology: Environmental impact assessment processes; Environmental Liability; Tourism; and oceanic debris.
XXII ATCM
SCAR submitted four information papers and one working paper. New management plans were agreed for: Cape Royds; Hut Point; Cape Adare. In addition there were papers on the following subjects of interest to the Working Group: Introduced organisms (IUCN); Protected Areas; Education and training; and Lake Vostok.
The work of the CEP included the following topics of interest to the Working Group: the report from the protected areas workshop held prior to XXII ATCM; terms of reference for a follow-up workshop prior to XXIII ATCM.
The Working Group proposed that a proper network of sites/areas for sustaining long-term scientific research should be identified. It noted also that a gap analysis approach is not the most effective nor most efficient means to identify areas in need of conservation.
Responsibility for progressing the State of Environment report has been passed to Sweden.
The ATCM has requested a report of the workshop on "Introduction of Diseases to Antarctic Wildlife" being organized by K Kerry (Australia).
6. Scientific matters for XXIII ATCM
The Working Group proposed minor changes to draft management plans for Western Shore of Admiralty Bay; Lions Rump; and Svarthammaren.
The Working Group agreed to provide input on biological research highlights to a scientific report to XXIII ATCM.
7. New structures and strategies for SCAR
Documents on SCAR organization and strategy were discussed and suggestions made concerning improved communication within SCAR, particularly by making greater use of electronic methods. Future research directions were also discussed and it was agreed that these would benefit from a thorough review. It was noted that many excellent biological research projects being undertaken by SCAR scientists would benefit from improved support and better linkage to related projects and programmes. Four important general priorities were identified: coordinated multidisciplinary aims and activities; clear links to and/or collaboration with existing and potential SCAR research on global change; links to and/or collaboration with international research programmes being undertaken under the auspices of bodies other than SCAR (eg SCOR, CCAMLR); research on topics and issues relating to environmental protection, conservation and management.
8. Informal report on the CCAMLR meeting
J P Croxall reported on matters of interest from CCAMLR, including new CCAMLR publications; illegal fishing of Dissostichus eleginoides; incidental seabird mortality; krill fishery has stabilized at 100–125 000 tonnes per year but data on krill growth are now essential for further development of krill population models. The Working Group stressed the desirability of improved collaboration between SCAR and CCAMLR, including better interaction between the appropriate groups in each organization.
9. Global Change and the Antarctic (GLOCHANT)
J H Priddle (Convenor) presented an overview of the activities and the links between GLOCHANT and other international research programmes, including those of SCAR. SCAR will co-sponsor the Southern Ocean regional components of JGOFS and GLOBEC.
10. EASIZ Programme
A C Clarke reported on recent fieldwork including the second EASIZ cruise to the Weddell Sea on RV Polarstern, and a diversity of process studies at many shore stations. He also reported on workshops on macroalgal taxonomy and biology; on Antarctic fishes, and a major symposium on evolutionary connections between the marine faunas of the Magellan and Antarctic regions. The Steering Committee will meet in association with the 7th SCAR Biology Symposium.
11. Group of Specialists on Environmental Affairs and Conservation
D W H Walton reported on the Tromsø workshop on protected areas, provided comments on management plans under review, and discussed the report of the NSF Dry Valleys workshop held in Santa Fe. In addition, GOSEAC recommended to the Antarctic Environmental Officers Network that sewage outflow, petroleum hydrocarbons in the soil and snow, noise from stations and vehicles, and physical disturbance should be measured. GOSEAC had also identified three key research areas (physiological and biochemical monitoring, effects of disturbance on birds and seals, and monitoring of inorganic and organic pollutants) for future discussion.
12. Subcommittee on Evolutionary Biology of Antarctic Organisms
E S E Fanta reported on the first meeting in Padua, Italy, in 1997, where discussions included: gene flow and the population structure of krill; gene flow, stock discrimination and Antarctic fisheries; behavioural, morphological and functional adaptation in Antarctic fish; biodiversity and evolution of Antarctic moss populations; the evolution of Antarctic seals; genetics and biodiversity; gene flow, biodiversity and life cycles of fish; biochemical approach to adaptation of fish; a molecular approach to the study of macro and micro-evolutionary events. A workshop on "Evolutionary Biology of Antarctic Organisms: status and trends" will be held in Curitiba, Brazil, in May 1999.
13. Group of Specialists on Seals
D B Siniff reported on the APIS Programme field seasons in 1997–98, 1998–99, and the season planned for 1999–2000. The Group had discussed details of data collection protocols, focusing on standardizing variables of concern during census operations. It was noted that reporting on Antarctic seals that have been "killed and captured" is incomplete but it appears to be at a negligible level. Recent information on the status and population trends of all species of Antarctic pinnipeds was reviewed. An APIS data management workshop is planned for 1999.
14. Bird Biology Subcommittee
J. Cooper reported the main issues addressed, including: progress on the Central Data Bank for Antarctic Bird Banding; annual lists of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic publications on birds; the International Giant Petrel Banding Project; penguin marking activities; syntheses of detailed breeding distribution and abundance of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic birds; the report of the Penguin Conservation Assessment and Management Plan Workshop, particularly the proposed classification under World Conservation Union's (IUCN) Red List Categories of Threat for Rockhopper and Royal Penguins as Vulnerable, and for Macaroni Penguin as Near Threatened; the status and trends of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic seabirds; reviews of bird populations (including trends) in Protected Areas; a request from BirdLife International to undertake an Important Bird Areas (IBA) study of the Antarctic Continent.
L Belbin presented a proposal to establish a computerized and on-line site-specific data base on breeding distribution and abundance of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic birds, hosted by the AADC. Reports were received of various national and international initiatives. Discrepancies between different guidelines for approaching Antarctic and sub-Antarctic wildlife and the need for standardization were noted. The final report of the ad hoc Working Group on Seabirds at Sea was tabled and its recommendation on determining the quantitative abundance (density) of seabirds at sea was approved.
15. BIOTAS Programme
R I Lewis Smith (Chairman) reported on BIOTAS activities, highlighting the successes of the programme but also drawing attention to the difficulty of maintaining the impetus of international collaboration. The Steering Committee had, therefore, proposed that BIOTAS should be terminated and replaced by a new initiative on "Terrestrial Responses to Environmental Change in Antarctic and Peri-antarctic Ecosystems" (TRECAPE). This will be presented for discussion and development at the VII SCAR Biology Symposium.
16. Financial requests
The Working Group received applications for SCAR funds for 1999 and 2000.
17. Review of recommendations
It was agreed that the following SCAR recommendations should stand: XXIV-2; XXIV-3; and XXIV-10. It was also agreed that Recommendation XXIV-Biol 3 should be replaced by Recommendation XXV Biol 12; and that Recommendation XXIV-Biol 6 should stand.
18. Highlights of National Research Programmes
These were distributed in hard copy but it was agreed that in future these should be posted on the Working Group web site at http://www.up.ac.za/academic/zoology/scar/webcon.htm
19. Symposium on a selected topic
A C Clarke, Chairman of the EASIZ programme, presented an overview of the research findings of EASIZ.
20. Symposia at future Working Group meetings
It was agreed that an overview of recent work on the ecology and conservation of seals and birds in Antarctica would be appropriate at the next meeting.
21. SO-GLOBEC
J P Croxall provided an overview of the activities of GLOBEC and it was agreed that closer liaison with GLOBEC should be developed.
22. Antarctic diving safety
The Working Group urged COMNAP to consider this matter and suggested that the Working Group on Human Biology and Medicine should be involved in discussions.
23. Announcement of planned Antarctic meetings
Eleven forthcoming meetings were noted.
24. Next meeting of the Working Group
This will be at XXVI SCAR in Tokyo, 10–22 July 2000.
25. Election of Chairman and Secretary
Y Le Maho and S L Chown were elected as Chairman as Secretary respectively.
26. Approval of report and closure
The draft report was adopted subject to further comments to the Secretary before it is finalized.
Recommendations from WG-Biology to SCAR XXV
Recommendation XXV–Biol 2 Concerning communications within SCAR
the Working Group on Biology recommends that electronic copies of all major documentation (workshop reports, meeting reports, agendas) from SCAR and its subsidiary groups should be made available on the WWW before, or at the same time as, hard copies are distributed.
Recommendation XXV–Biol 3 Concerning protected areas
Noting that protected areas have been nominated by national operators for specific purposes but without reference to a coherent framework addressing both conservation needs for the Antarctic continent and scientific requirements at a national level,
the Working Group on Biology strongly supports the development of a coordinated system which incorporates all of the categories described in Annex 5 of the Madrid Protocol.
Recommendation XXV–Biol 4 Concerning long-term studies
The Working Group on Biology recognises the key importance of long-term studies of Antarctic terrestrial and marine ecosystems in the context of global change, and recommends that SCAR urges National Committees to consider how these can be implemented and supported (Rec XXIII-Biol 9).
Recommendation XXV–Biol 7 Concerning communications within SCAR
Noting that the Working Group on Biology provides informed comment on management plans for protected areas and is available to provide comments on activities relevant to GOSEAC, the Working Group on Biology recommends that draft management plans for protected areas should be submitted electronically to its Chairman and Secretary, and placed on the SCAR web site promptly.
Recommendation XXV–Biol 8 Concerning bird banding data
The Working Group on Biology noting that several member nations have been slow in submitting or have failed to submit bird banding data to the Central Data Bank for Antarctic Bird Banding urges that SCAR National Committees be again asked to ensure that bird banding data are submitted on an annual basis to the Central Data Bank for Antarctic Bird Banding, administered by the Bird Biology Subcommittee.
Recommendation XXV–Biol 9 Concerning bird transponder tag data
Noting that there has been a rapidly increasing use of implanted transponder tags in penguins and concerned that no national agencies were regulating their use, nor do national registers exist to record serial numbers and associated data of tags; Recognizing that:
- There may be no visible sign that a bird carries an implanted tag and thus the feasibility of implanting two or more tags in a single bird exists;
- Tags may be recovered and read but there is no way of referring this recovery to the researcher who implanted the tag;
- Once implanted, tags remain in place for the life of the bird, even after a research project is completed;
- Co-operation between researchers in the use of transponder tags needs to be facilitated, particularly where research sites are close together (i.e. where the possibility exists for movement of birds from one site to another).
And concerned that no submissions have been received in response to the adoption of SCAR Recommendation XXIII-Biol 8, addressing this topic; The Working Group on Biology recommends that National Committees ensure that the following information be submitted annually by national agencies to the Central Data Bank for Antarctic Bird Banding of the Bird Biology Subcommittee of the SCAR Working Group on Biology:
- Name, address and affiliation of the persons undertaking tagging of birds
- Location of colony, preferably with accurate GPS determined coordinates
- Year of operation
- Species tagged
- Brand of tag and tagging system
- Serial numbers of tags used and date of implantation
- Site of tag implantation
- Date program ceased.
All recommendations were approved and Recommendations XXV–Biol 1 (with modifications), 5, 6, 10, 11 and 12 were adopted as SCAR Recommendations XXV-1 to 6
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