A snapshot of biodiversity protection in Antarctica

Nature Communications
Hannah S WauchopeAleks Terauds

Abstract

Threats to Antarctic biodiversity are escalating, despite its remoteness and protection under the Antarctic Treaty. Increasing human activity, pollution, biological invasions and the omnipresent impacts of climate change all contribute, and often combine, to exert pressure on Antarctic ecosystems and environments. Here we present a continent-wide assessment of terrestrial biodiversity protection in Antarctica. Despite Antarctic Specially Protected Areas covering less than 2% of Antarctica, 44% of species (including seabirds, plants, lichens and invertebrates) are found in one or more protected areas. However, protection is regionally uneven and biased towards easily detectable and charismatic species like seabirds. Systematic processes to prioritize area protection using the best available data will maximize the likelihood of ensuring long-term protection and conservation of Antarctic biodiversity.

References

Jun 18, 2014·PLoS Biology·Justine D ShawSteven L Chown
Nov 7, 2014·Nature·James E M WatsonMarc Hockings
Mar 13, 2015·Frontiers in Microbiology·Kevin A HughesAnnick Wilmotte
May 23, 2015·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·L MaioranoL Boitani
Jun 26, 2015·Nature·Steven L ChownMelodie A McGeoch
Jul 25, 2015·Conservation Biology : the Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology·Kevin A HughesAndrew H Fleming
Mar 30, 2017·PLoS Biology·Steven L ChownMelodie A McGeoch
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Jun 29, 2017·Nature·Jasmine R LeeAleks Terauds
Mar 21, 2018·Nature Ecology & Evolution·Megan D BarnesIan D Craigie

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Citations

Jul 17, 2020·Nature·Rachel I LeihySteven L Chown
Jun 30, 2021·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Fabien L Condamine, Gael J Kergoat

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