pdf WP005: Outcomes of the International Polar Year Programme: Aliens in Antarctica Popular

ATCM XXXV and CEP XV 2012, Hobart, Australia

Working Paper

WP005: Outcomes of the International Polar Year Programme: Aliens in Antarctica

Submitted: 19/04/2012

Summary:

The International Polar Year Project Aliens in Antarctica has provided a spatially explicit, activity- differentiated assessment of the risks of establishment of terrestrial non-native species across Antarctica, both currently and with climate change. The Western Antarctic Peninsula coast and the islands off the coast of the Peninsula have the highest current risk for the establishment of non-native species. By 2100 the risk of non-native species establishment will continue to be highest in the Antarctic Peninsula area, but will also increase substantially in the coastal, ice-free areas to the west of the Amery Ice Shelf and to a lesser extent in the Ross Sea region. SCAR recommends that the CEP: (i) includes the spatially explicit, activity- differentiated risk assessments in further development of strategies to mitigate the risks posed by terrestrial non-native species; (ii) develops a surveillance strategy for areas at high risk of non-native species establishment; (iii) gives additional attention to the risks posed by intra-Antarctic transfer of propagules.

Also see Attachment 9 ( pdf ATT009 (561 KB) ).