A new study looking at the implications of increased shipping activity and the impact on Antarctic marine biodiversity is published this week in the journal Global Change Biology.  The research is an important step in the quest to understand whether invasive species, introduced by shipping, will find the Antarctic marine environment more hospitable as Antarctica’s climate changes.

Analysis of ship location records, scientific databases and reports by researchers from British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and the University of Cambridge reveal that ship traffic in Antarctic waters has increased up to 10-fold since 1960s.  This could mean that there is a greater risk that animals and plants, such as mussels and seaweed, could be transported to Antarctica.

The marine ecosystem in the Southern Ocean became largely isolated when the circumpolar current formed 15-30 million years ago.  The region is considered to be biologically unique and conservation of Antarctic ecosystems is a global priority. Invasive species have the potential to alter the balance between species.   In other parts of the world this has led to the collapse of fisheries and diminished ecosystem services.

This work provides the first holistic view of the risk of non-native species to the Antarctic marine environment.  It informs future conservation management and policy.

Arlie McCarthy, lead author and marine ecologist at British Antarctic Survey and the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, says:

“We know that at present physical barriers, such as sea ice cover, ocean currents and water temperature, prevent non-native species establishing themselves in marine ecosystems around Antarctica.  However, we need to understand the wider implications of changing environmental conditions and increased ship activity.  Our study will help us determine the scale of the risk.

We know that some invasive species such as mussels, tunicates, bryozoans, and crabs that live on ship hulls have been observed in the Southern Ocean.  There is no confirmed record of these becoming established as a population as yet but this is a threat for the future.”

Very few studies of ‘hull fouling’ on Antarctic-going vessels have been carried out.  Professor Lloyd Peck of British Antarctic Survey says:

“This work is an important early step towards protecting the unique biodiversity living on the seabed around Antarctica from human-introduced non-native species.  Before effective measures can be taken, the risk must be quantified.

“We need much more understanding of these issues and more effort to gauge the risks and develop the best conservation measures we can to at least try and minimise any future biodiversity losses in the Antarctic marine environment.”

Dr David Aldridge, the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge says:

“Invasive species are recognised as one of the biggest drivers of global biodiversity loss.  While life in Antarctica may have once been relatively protected from the invasion of non-native marine species, our study reveals that human-mediated global change is increasing the likelihood of exposing life in the Southern Ocean to new and unprecedented challenges”.

Antarctica: the final frontier for marine biological invasions by Arlie H. McCarthy, Lloyd S Peck, Kevin A Hughes, David C Aldridge is published in Global Change Biology doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14600

Ends

Issued by the British Antarctic Survey Press Office:

Athena Dinar, British Antarctic Survey, tel: +44 (0) 223 221441; email: amdi@bas.ac.uk

Photo and video images are available on request from the Press Office.

Notes to editors

Over 180 ships visited Antarctica on over 500 voyages in the 2017/18 season, representing a 5- to 10-fold increase since the 1960s 

Many factors will influence whether or not non-native species become established in the Southern Ocean. The most significant factors, based on this assessment, are climate change and increased human activity.

Current legislation to minimise the transport of non-native marine species around the world focuses on ballast water and special regulations exist for Antarctica. Biofouling on ships’ hulls is an emerging a target for legislation both for Antarctica and worldwide.

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) delivers and enables world-leading interdisciplinary research in the Polar Regions. Its skilled science and support staff based in Cambridge, Antarctica and the Arctic, work together to deliver research that uses the Polar Regions to advance our understanding of Earth as a sustainable planet. Through its extensive logistic capability and know how BAS facilitates access for the British and international science community to the UK polar research operation. Numerous national and international collaborations, combined with an excellent infrastructure help sustain a world leading position for the UK in Antarctic affairs. 

British Antarctic Survey is a component of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). NERC is part of UK Research and Innovation www.ukri.org
For more information visit www.bas.ac.uk

About the University of Cambridge

The mission of the University of Cambridge is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international levels of excellence. To date, 107 affiliates of the University have won the Nobel Prize.

Founded in 1209, the University comprises 31 autonomous Colleges, which admit undergraduates and provide small-group tuition, and 150 departments, faculties and institutions. Cambridge is a global university. Its 19,000 student body includes 3,700 international students from 120 countries. Cambridge researchers collaborate with colleagues worldwide, and the University has established larger-scale partnerships in Asia, Africa and America.

The University sits at the heart of the ‘Cambridge cluster’, which employs 60,000 people and has in excess of £12 billion in turnover generated annually by the 4,700 knowledge-intensive firms in and around the city. The city publishes 341 patents per 100,000 residents.

For more info visit www.cam.ac.uk

This email was sent to rachael@bbga.aero
British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Road, CAMBRIDGE, Cambridgeshire CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
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