A preliminary synoptic assessment of soil frost on Marion Island and the possible consequences of climate change in a maritime sub-Antarctic environment

First observations on needle ice formation in the sub-Antarctic

“…Secondly, in agreement with Haussmann et al (2009), it could be that -0.28C is a more appropriate temperature threshold for effective needle ice growth in this environment and that, given the shallow depth of frost penetration, frost pull is the main mechanism in frost heave. Thirdly, the sub-Antarctic periglacial environment as represented by Marion Island has been suggested as fundamentally different from seasonal frost and permafrost environments with regards to landform morphology and the characteristics of the landscape's environmental regimes (Boelhouwers et al 2003, Nel et al 2009a, 2009b, Nel 2012. It seems that this uniqueness also applies to the basic conditions for needle ice growth in the diurnal soil frost environment of the sub-Antarctic.…”

“…2003, Nel et al . 2009a, 2009b, Nel 2012). It seems that this uniqueness also applies to the basic conditions for needle ice growth in the diurnal soil frost environment of the sub-Antarctic.…”

High resolution temperature data for ecological research and management on the Southern Ocean Islands

“…Thus, we provide a regionally-specific, fine-scale temperature dataset, along with uncertainty measures and R code, for ecologists and conservation managers to better model species and ecosystem responses to climate change, and to develop strategies to manage and/or mitigate responses. These data also have value for understanding island climatology, geomorphological processes (such as diurnal soil frost and soil sorting 39 , 40 ) and the evolutionary history of the biota 30 , 41–45 .…”

Temporal and spatial variability of stream water chemistry on Subantarctic Marion Island

“…Mid-latitude depressions (cyclones) are initiated somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean between latitude 30° and 40°S (Schulze 1971), and an approaching cold front is associated with a strengthening of the north-westerly winds, an influx of warm subtropical air and an increase in cloudiness (Tyson & Preston-Whyte 2000). Meteorological observations at the research station on the eastern coast of the island indicate that winds mostly originate from a westerly to north-westerly direction, which is related to the predominant synoptic conditions (Le Nel et al 2009;Nel 2012). Winds measured 5 m above the ground at the research station are generally very strong, with an average daily velocity of 8.4 m/s (Hedding et al 2015).…”