Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

SCAR BULLETIN, No. 151, October 2003

Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 118
Summit of Mount Melbourne, Victoria Land

1. Description of values to be protected

The biotic communities of the closest documented fumarolic ground, 400 km to the south on Tramway Ridge, Mt Erebus and on Mt Rittman, in the Mountaineer Range over 180 km to the north, are considered significantly different to that on Mt Melbourne. Mount Melbourne has the only known leafy example of the moss Campylopus pyriformis on the Antarctic continent (the moss is present on Mt Erebus only in the protonema stage). The algae Stigonema ocellatum and Chlorella cf. reniformis are the only Antarctic records. Several other algal species are not recorded elsewhere in Antarctica, apart from Mt Erebus. An entirely new species of thermophilic bacteria, Bacillus thermoantarcticus, has also been discovered on the summit.
The total cover of vegetation is estimated at 100–200 m². Despite this relatively small area of cover, the uniqueness and fragility of the biological communities and their physical environment are such that the Area is of high scientific and conservation value and vulnerable to human disturbance. The dangers of introducing new organisms and disturbance by trampling and sampling are great and justify this site being given long-term special protection. Extensive ice-free geothermal areas at high altitude, supporting a unique community of flora and microbiota and accumulations of organic matter, make this Area of exceptional scientific interest.

2. Aims and objectives

Management at Mount Melbourne aims to:

3. Management activities

4. Period of designation

Designated for an indefinite period.

5. Maps and photographs

Map A: Mount Melbourne, location map.
Map B: Mount Melbourne, site map.

6. Description of the Area
6 (i) Geographical coordinates, boundary markers and natural features.
Mount Melbourne (2733 m, 74º21’S 164º42’E), northern Victoria Land, lies between Wood and Terra Nova bays. The Area encompasses all terrain above the 2200 m contour surrounding the main crater of Mt Melbourne. Boundary markers are not installed.
Mount Melbourne is part of the McMurdo volcanics, a line of dormant and extinct volcanoes along the coast of Victoria Land. The Mt Melbourne area is thought to be late Quaternary in age and the most recent eruption may have been as little as 150 years ago. The volcanic rocks are trachyte to trachyandesite overlying basalt.
Mount Melbourne is an almost perfect low-angle volcanic cone with extensive areas of hot ground, fumaroles, and ice towers prominent around the summit crater. The summit caldera is about 1 km in diameter and forms the névé for a westward flowing glacier. The summit also contains the most extensive areas of snow-free warm or steaming ground, fumaroles and ice towers or pinnacles. Surface soil (0-2 cm depth) temperatures of up to 42°C, areas of cooler ground where activity is discontinuous, and zones of geothermal activity are marked by ice and snow hummocks up to a metre in height.
There are three main areas exhibiting thermal activity: two on the edge of the caldera, and a third about 250 m lower on the northern slopes. These geothermal areas support a unique biological assemblage of species otherwise restricted to low altitudes. Plant life is only possible through small water droplets, formed by the condensation of steam, keeping the soils moist.
Mount Melbourne exhibits high biodiversity relative to other geothermal sites in the Antarctic, both maritime and high altitude. Biota includes algal crusts and felts (11 species), bryophytes (one species of moss and one of liverwort), a protozoan, and a range of microflora. A lichen association has been observed as a component of black crusts over small areas of warm soil.
6(ii) Prohibited, restricted and managed zones within the Area
Prohibited and Restricted Zones - Cryptogam Ridge
An area on the southern rim of the main summit crater (known as Cryptogam Ridge) is designated as a Prohibited Zone and a Restricted Zone (see Map B) in order to protect the most extensive stand of vegetation and preserve part of the Area as a reference site for future comparative
study.
Managed Zones
Two Managed zones (see Map B) have been established within the Area where survey marks used in deformation studies need to be regularly accessed, and a radio repeater is installed and maintained each season. The zones extend 15 m around the survey marks and are located as follows:

6(iii) Structures within and near the Area
Six survey marks are used in an ongoing Italian scientific programme. A radio repeater is installed annually on cool, ice-free ground near the summit.

6(iv) Location of other protected areas within close proximity of the Area
The nearest protected areas are: Cape Hallett, ASPA No. 106 and Botany Bay ASPA No. 164.

7. Permit conditions
Entry into the Area is prohibited except in accordance with a Permit issued by an appropriate national authority.
7(i) Access to and movement within the Area
Land vehicles are prohibited with the Area; helicopters may only land at the established survey marks within the two Managed Zones; use of smoke grenades is prohibited; any over flight of the Prohibited or Restricted Zone must be more than 50 m above ground level; and hovering is not permitted lower than 50 m.
Visitors must avoid walking on areas of visible vegetation or moist soil, both on ice-free ground and among ice hummocks, and should not interfere with any ice structures. Pedestrian traffic should be kept to the absolute minimum.
7(ii) Activities that are or may be conducted in the Area, including restrictions on time or place

7(iii) Installation, modification or removal of structures
No structures are to be erected within the Area except as specified in a Permit. All scientific equipment installed in the Area must be approved by Permit and clearly identified by country, name of the principal investigator, and year of installation.
7(iv) Location of field camps
Camping is permitted only in the ice-filled caldera or outside the Area (i.e. below the 2200 m contour).
7(v) Restrictions on materials and organisms which can be brought into the Area.

7(vi) Taking or harmful interference with native flora or fauna
Any removal or disturbance of the vegetation or invertebrates is prohibited.

7 (vii) Collection or removal of anything not brought into the Area by the Permit holder
Material may be collected or removed from the Area only in accordance with a Permit.
7(viii) Disposal of waste
All wastes shall be removed from the Area.

7(ix) Measures that are necessary to ensure that the aims and objectives of the Management Plan can continue to be met
1. Permits may be granted to carry out biological monitoring and site inspection.
2. Sites of long-term monitoring shall be marked.
3. Visitors shall take special precautions against introductions, particularly microbial or vegetation introductions sourced from:

7(x) Requirements for reports
Parties shall ensure that the principal holder for each Permit issued submits to the appropriate authority a report describing the activities undertaken.

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