A new study into the biogeography of Antarctica has identified 15 distinct regions on the continent and near-shore islands.
15 Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions delineated by comparing biologically distinct groups formed by the cluster analyses of environmental domains and expert-defined bioregions. Areas are based on the most up-to-date map of ice-free Antarctica (Terauds A. et al.)
The study, published yesterday in the journal Diversity and Distributions, examines the geography, geology, climate, flora and fauna of the ice-free areas of Antarctica and identifies 15 biologically distinct Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions.
“This is the first time there has been a continent-wide assessment of the biogeography of Antarctica using all of the available biodiversity data,” said lead author Dr Aleks Terauds, a terrestrial biologist at the Australian Antarctic Division.
“Previously terrestrial Antarctica has been divided into 2 main areas based on aspects like geography geology or specific types of biodiversity,” Dr Terauds said. “The new research amalgamated 38,000 terrestrial records including the diverse biology such as microbes, invertebrates and plants.
“It revealed a complex ecosystem which can be divided into 15 very distinct and potentially delicate biogeographic regions which are characterized by different climates, landscapes and species,” the scientist added.
Introduced species are identified as one of the biggest threats to the Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in a warming climate.
“With about 40,000 people visiting Antarctica over a summer, as tourists, scientists or station support personnel, there’s the potential more species will be accidentally transferred to and within Antarctica. While quarantine procedures are already in place for inter-continental travel, such as cleaning clothing and equipment before arriving in Antarctica, there are less biosecurity measures for intra-continental movement.”
“The Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Regions represent an important basis for biosecurity measures to manage the risk of species, including species native to Antarctica, being transferred from one biogeographic zone to another.”
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Bibliographic information: Terauds A. et al. 2012. Conservation biogeography of the Antarctic. Diversity Distrib. 1–16; doi: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2012.00925.x
