Signy Island as a Paradigm of Biological and Environmental Change in Antarctic Terrestrial Ecosystems

Smith, R. I. Lewis

doi:10.1007/978-3-642-84074-6_4

Cited by 122 publications

(133 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Temperature increases amongst the most rapid worldwide are well documented in the maritime Antarctic (Smith, 1990 ;Fowbert & Smith, 1994 ;King & Harangozo, 1998;Skvarca et al, 1998 ;Quayle et al, 2002), with increases in annual air temperatures of at least 1 xC over the last 30-50 years reported at several locations. Analogous trends are seen at some sub-and continental Antarctic sites (e.g.…”

Section: Implications Of Climate Change (1 ) Climate Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These methods have several weaknesses (Kennedy, 1995b, c), and the more recent studies have developed means to minimize their effects, but they have been useful for assessing the likely responses of the indigenous biota to climate change. The use of screens has led to spectacular responses in the growth of microbial groups, bryophytes and higher plants (Smith, 1990(Smith, , 1994WynnWilliams, 1993WynnWilliams, , 1996Kennedy, 1996). Fewer studies have been directed at faunal communities, but some arthropod populations have expanded rapidly (Kennedy, 1994), and trophic groups of soil nematodes have responded differently (Convey & Wynn-Williams, 2002;.…”

Section: Implications Of Climate Change (1 ) Climate Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biological invasions in the Antarctic: extent, impacts and implications

Frénot

Chown

Whinam³

et al. 2005

Biol. Rev.

612

822

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Alien microbes, fungi, plants and animals occur on most of the sub-Antarctic islands and some parts of the Antarctic continent. These have arrived over approximately the last two centuries, coincident with human activity in the region. Introduction routes have varied, but are largely associated with movement of people and cargo in connection with industrial, national scientific program and tourist operations. The large majority of aliens are European in origin. They have both direct and indirect impacts on the functioning of speciespoor Antarctic ecosystems, in particular including substantial loss of local biodiversity and changes to ecosystem processes. With rapid climate change occurring in some parts of Antarctica, elevated numbers of introductions and enhanced success of colonization by aliens are likely, with consequent increases in impacts on ecosystems. Mitigation measures that will substantially reduce the risk of introductions to Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic must focus on reducing propagule loads on humans, and their food, cargo, and transport vessels.

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Section: Implications Of Climate Change (1 ) Climate Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Implications Of Climate Change (1 ) Climate Trendsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological invasions in the Antarctic: extent, impacts and implications

Frénot

Chown

Whinam³

et al. 2005

Biol. Rev.

612

822

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“…The high vulnerability of the Antarctic tundra results from low biodiversity, as well as a small range of its variability even under small climate fl uctuations ( Lewis Smith 1990). Therefore, special attention should be paid to the potential responses of these vulnerable ecosystems to the recent climate changes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Responses of Antarctic Tundra Ecosystem to Climate Change and Human Activity

Olech¹

2010

Papers on Global Change IGBP

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ABSTRACT:Over the last couple of years the Antarctic Peninsula region has been one of the fastest warming regions on the Earth. Rapidly proceeding deglaciation uncovers new areas for colonisation and formation of Antarctic tundra communities. The most evident dynamics, i.e. changes in both biodiversity and structure of tundra communities, are observed in the forefi elds of retreating glaciers. This paper presents examples of changes in biodiversity and in the direction and rate of succession changes taking place due to climate warming compounded by synanthropization in the maritime Antarctic.

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“…The possible impact of climatic changes on stream periphyton has been studied in both the Arctic and the Antarctic regions by in situ manipulation (Smith 1990;Elster & Svoboda 1995;Elster et al 2001;Benstead et al 2005). However, these in situ manipulation experiments are not always possible due to logistical and technical constraints, so modelling of these processes under laboratory conditions is required.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Standardized algal growth potential and/or algal primary production rates of maritime Antarctic stream waters (King George Island, South Shetlands)

Kvíderová

Elster²

2013

Polar Research

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In addition to the chemical analyses providing total nutrient content, standardized water trophic status bioassays are useful in the determination of available nutrients for primary producers. The aim of the study was to determine the standardized values of algal growth potential (AGP) and algal primary productivity rate (APPR) of maritime Antarctic stream water using modified AGP/APPR protocols. The standardized values of AGP and the APPR of oligotrophic and mesotrophic water samples from snow-melt streams were measured, and possible nutrient limitation and heavy metal inhibition were evaluated at 5°C and 25°C using polar and temperate strains of Stichococcus bacillaris, respectively. The water samples were enriched for the nutrient limitation tests with 1000 µg l−1 −N, 50 µg l−1 −P, and a mixture of 1000 µg l−1 −N + 50 µg l−1 −P, and for the heavy metal inhibition tests with 1000 µg l−1 Na2-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The AGP of oligotrophic samples was significantly lower than that of the mesotrophic ones at both temperatures. In addition, AGP was significantly higher at 5°C than at 25°C. Oligotrophic samples were identified as being nitrogen limited, while no nutrient limitation was observed in the mesotrophic samples. No statistically significant heavy metal inhibition was observed at either temperature. The positive correlation of AGP and water nutrient content indicates that the method used accurately and comprehensively monitors the changes in biological availability of mineral nutrients and can provide a standardized reference point for similar exploration of freshwater ecosystems across both polar regions

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Signy Island as a Paradigm of Biological and Environmental Change in Antarctic Terrestrial Ecosystems

Cited by 122 publications

References 12 publications

Biological invasions in the Antarctic: extent, impacts and implications

Biological invasions in the Antarctic: extent, impacts and implications

Responses of Antarctic Tundra Ecosystem to Climate Change and Human Activity

Standardized algal growth potential and/or algal primary production rates of maritime Antarctic stream waters (King George Island, South Shetlands)

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