Human activity brings invasive species to Antarctica

Human presence in Antarctica has already affected some of its delicate ecology and climate change will make it easier for invasive species to establish themselves. So says a new report which explores the impact of human activity on Antarctica’s unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

“Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems are not entirely isolated from those of the rest of the world. A commonly predicted consequence of environmental change is that native species distributions will change, and that non-native species will invade.”

More information: P. Convey el al., “Antarctic environmental change and biological responses,” Science Advances (2019). advances.sciencemag.org/content/5/11/eaaz0888