Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
of new non-indigenous species will, in turn, generate greater trophic complexity and
involve higher trophic levels. The resistance of indigenous communities to these
processes is unknown.
The global importance of Antarctica
Antarctica, and in particular the many and varied facets of its biology, has always acted
as a magnet for researchers, natural historians, explorers and the armchair enthusiast.
Even today, in an age of easy global travel and instant information, we are still
fascinated by its extreme challenges. In research terms, understanding of
'
life at the
extremes
is central to any attempt to describe limits and function of life on Earth, at
levels from the gene, through genomic expression, biochemistry, physiology and
upwards through life history to community and ecosystem function and macroecology.
Antarctic ecosystems are also central to public fascination, and, in particular, a
burgeoning tourism industry. Speci
'
c sub-Antarctic islands, under national
jurisdictions, have already been declared as World Heritage Sites, with the concomitant
responsibilities this places on nations towards their preservation for the bene
tof
present and future generations. Similarly, within and around the continent itself, many
'
have been declared under the auspices of the
international Antarctic Treaty System that regulates activities on the continent.
Antarctica today has never been of greater value to the planet. This continent
Antarctic Specially Protected Areas
'
'
s
near pristine environment and lack of confounding in
uences make it our best
-
'
'
barometer of the state of the global climate
warning
of the consequences of human actions for the planet. Its terrestrial and marine
ecosystems are central in the conservation of global biodiversity, both in the context
of the well-known and highly visible
a
canary in the coal mine
, and of the much less
appreciated but equally important ecosystem elements that speak of the evolutionary
history of the continent and Southern Ocean. Antarctic biodiversity is also starting
to receive attention in the newer industrial concepts of bioprospecting and
applications within biotechnology. Despite the spectacular and sorry history of
overexploitation and mismanagement of marine mammal and
'
charismatic megafauna
'
shery resources, the
Southern Ocean of today still contains one of the last major and largely unexploited
sources of marine protein available on the planet, as well as one of the few
ecosystem-based and internationally agreed systems of management of marine
resource exploitation. While we may feel uncomfortable with this
of
Antarctica, areas of exploitation such as these now appear inevitable, and the next
few years and decades will provide one of the last chances available to humankind to
demonstrate an ability to do so
'
opening up
'
'
sustainably
'
, and without destruction of the very
resource that we seek to protect.
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