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A Pilot Project to Limit the Human Impacts on the Fragile Antarctic Biota: Mitigation of a Runway through Vegetation Transplantation

Author

Listed:
  • Nicoletta Cannone

    (Department of Science and High Techonology, Insubria University, 22100 Como, Italy)

  • Stefano Ponti

    (Department Theoretical and Applied Sciences, Insubria University, 21100 Varese, Italy)

  • Francesco Malfasi

    (Department of Science and High Techonology, Insubria University, 22100 Como, Italy)

Abstract

Background: Antarctica is among the world’s last great wildernesses, but the anthropogenic activities and associated infrastructures threaten its fragile biota. We quantify the impact of the construction of a 2200 m long gravel runway airstrip for airfreight operations of the Italian research station on vegetation ecosystems at Boulder Clay (continental Antarctica). We propose a pilot project to mitigate this impact through the transplantation of vegetation from the runway to safe sites. Methods: A vegetation field survey was performed through phytosociological relevés and vegetation mapping and data were analyzed through multivariate analysis. Results: We quantify the destructive impact of the runway construction on the flora and vegetation of Boulder Clay. Based on vegetation characteristics, 28 priority areas were transplanted from the runway to safe sites, with 89% of survival. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first time that vegetation transplantation was performed in Antarctica to mitigate the consequences of human actions, as formerly it was used only for scientific experiments. This pilot project provides a tool to support management decisions, involving the quantitative evaluation of the infrastructure impacts and showing the suitability of practical mitigation actions. This pilot project proposes a practical tool exportable to all Antarctica and beyond and suggests to link the permissions’ release for the new infrastructures in Antarctica to the realization of specific conservation and mitigation actions.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicoletta Cannone & Stefano Ponti & Francesco Malfasi, 2021. "A Pilot Project to Limit the Human Impacts on the Fragile Antarctic Biota: Mitigation of a Runway through Vegetation Transplantation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:811-:d:481104
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Steven L. Chown & Andrew Clarke & Ceridwen I. Fraser & S. Craig Cary & Katherine L. Moon & Melodie A. McGeoch, 2015. "The changing form of Antarctic biodiversity," Nature, Nature, vol. 522(7557), pages 431-438, June.
    2. Shaun T. Brooks & Julia Jabour & John Hoff & Dana M. Bergstrom, 2019. "Our footprint on Antarctica competes with nature for rare ice-free land," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 2(3), pages 185-190, March.
    3. Mauro Guglielmin, 2006. "Ground surface temperature (GST), active layer and permafrost monitoring in continental Antarctica," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(2), pages 133-143, April.
    4. H. M. French & M. Guglielmin, 1999. "Observations on the ice‐marginal, periglacial geomorphology of Terra Nova Bay, Northern Victoria Land, Antarctica," Permafrost and Periglacial Processes, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(4), pages 331-347, October.
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