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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Aliens in Antarctica: Assessing transfer of plant propagules by human visitors to reduce invasion risk
Biological Conservation, Volume 171, Year 2014
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Description
Despite considerable research on biological invasions, key areas remain poorly explored, especially ways to reduce unintentional propagule transfer. The Antarctic represents a microcosm of the situation, with the numbers of established non-native species growing. Information to help reduce potential impacts is therefore critical. We measured the propagule load of seeds, and fragments of bryophytes and lichens (the number of other plant or animal fragments was too low to draw any conclusions) carried in the clothing and gear of visitors to the Antarctic, during the 2007/08 austral summer. Samples were collected from different categories of visitors associated with national research programs and tourism and different categories of clothing and gear, new as well as used. We also collected information about the timing of travel and the regions visitors had travelled to prior to Antarctic travel. Seeds were found in 20% and 45% of tourist and science visitor samples, respectively. For bryophyte and lichen fragments the proportions were 11% and 20%, respectively. Footwear, trousers and bags belonging to field scientists were the highest risk items, especially of those personnel which had previously visited protected areas, parklands/botanic gardens or alpine areas. Tourists who visited rural/agricultural areas prior to travel, and/or travel with national programs or on smaller tourist vessels had the highest probability of transferring plant propagules. Travel either during the boreal or austral autumn months increased the probability of propagule presence. Our assessment is applicable to other areas given evidence of propagule transfer patterns in those areas that are broadly similar to those documented here.The current work provides a sound evidence base for both self-regulation (e.g. taking care of personal equipment) and organization-based regulation (e.g. issuing guidelines and holding regular inspections) to reduce propagule transfer of plants to the Antarctic. © 2014.
Authors & Co-Authors
Huiskes, Adrian H.L.
Netherlands, 't Horntje
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
Gremmen, Niek J.M.
Netherlands, 't Horntje
Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research
Bergstrom, Dana Michelle
Australia, Hobart
Australian Antarctic Division
Frenot, Yves
France, Plouzane
Institut Polaire Emile Victor French Polar Institute
Hughes, Kevin Andrew
United Kingdom, Cambridge
British Antarctic Survey
Imura, Satoshi
Japan, Tokyo
National Institute of Polar Research
Kiefer, Kate
Australia, Hobart
Australian Antarctic Division
Lebouvier, Marc
France, Rennes
Écosystèmes, Biodiversité, Évolution
Lee, Jennifer E.
South Africa, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch University
Tsujimoto, Megumu
Japan, Tokyo
National Institute of Polar Research
Ware, Chris J.
Australia, Hobart
University of Tasmania
van de Vijver, Bart
Belgium, Meise
Botanic Garden Meise
Chown, Steven L.
Australia, Clayton
Monash University
Statistics
Citations: 68
Authors: 13
Affiliations: 10
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1016/j.biocon.2014.01.038
ISSN:
00063207