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González-Herrero S, Navarro F, Pertierra LR, Oliva M, Dadic R, Peck L, Lehning M. Southward migration of the zero-degree isotherm latitude over the Southern Ocean and the Antarctic Peninsula: Cryospheric, biotic and societal implications. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:168473. [PMID: 38007123 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
The seasonal movement of the zero-degree isotherm across the Southern Ocean and Antarctic Peninsula drives major changes in the physical and biological processes around maritime Antarctica. These include spatial and temporal shifts in precipitation phase, snow accumulation and melt, thawing and freezing of the active layer of the permafrost, glacier mass balance variations, sea ice mass balance and changes in physiological processes of biodiversity. Here, we characterize the historical seasonal southward movement of the monthly near-surface zero-degree isotherm latitude (ZIL), and quantify the velocity of migration in the context of climate change using climate reanalyses and projections. From 1957 to 2020, the ZIL exhibited a significant southward shift of 16.8 km decade-1 around Antarctica and of 23.8 km decade-1 in the Antarctic Peninsula, substantially faster than the global mean velocity of temperature change of 4.2 km decade-1, with only a small fraction being attributed to the Southern Annular Mode (SAM). CMIP6 models reproduce the trends observed from 1957 to 2014 and predict a further southward migration around Antarctica of 24 ± 12 km decade-1 and 50 ± 19 km decade-1 under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, respectively. The southward migration of the ZIL is expected to have major impacts on the cryosphere, especially on the precipitation phase, snow accumulation and in peripheral glaciers of the Antarctic Peninsula, with more uncertain changes on permafrost, ice sheets and shelves, and sea ice. Longer periods of temperatures above 0 °C threshold will extend active biological periods in terrestrial ecosystems and will reduce the extent of oceanic ice cover, changing phenologies as well as areas of productivity in marine ecosystems, especially those located on the sea ice edge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi González-Herrero
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos, Switzerland; Antarctic Group, Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Francisco Navarro
- Departmento de Matemática Aplicada a las TIC, ETSI de Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis R Pertierra
- Plant & Soil Sciences Department, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa; Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marc Oliva
- Department of Geography, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ruzica Dadic
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos, Switzerland
| | - Lloyd Peck
- British Antarctic Survey, UKRI-NERC, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michael Lehning
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), Davos, Switzerland; School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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Brooks ST, Jabour J, Hughes KA, Morgan F, Convey P, Polymeropoulos ET, Bergstrom DM. Systematic conservation planning for Antarctic research stations. J Environ Manage 2024; 351:119711. [PMID: 38070424 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The small ice-free areas of Antarctica are essential locations for both biodiversity and scientific research but are subject to considerable and expanding human impacts, resulting primarily from station-based research and support activities, and local tourism. Awareness by operators of the need to conserve natural values in and around station and visitor site footprints exists, but the cumulative nature of impacts often results in reactive rather than proactive management. With human activity spread across many isolated pockets of ice-free ground, the pathway to the greatest reduction of human impacts within this natural reserve is through better management of these areas, which are impacted the most. Using a case study of Australia's Casey Station, we found significant natural values persist within the immediate proximity (<10 m) of long-term station infrastructure, but encroachment by physical disturbance results in ongoing pressures. Active planning to better conserve such values would provide a direct opportunity to enhance protection of Antarctica's environment. Here we introduce an approach to systematic conservation planning, tailored to Antarctic research stations, to help managers improve the conservation of values surrounding their activity locations. Use of this approach provides a potential mechanism to balance the need for scientific access to the continent with international obligations to protect its environment. It may also facilitate the development of subordinate conservation tools, including management plans and natural capital accounting. By proactively minimising and containing their station footprints, national programs can also independently demonstrate their commitment to protecting Antarctica's environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun T Brooks
- CSIRO Environment, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
| | - Julia Jabour
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Kevin A Hughes
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - Fraser Morgan
- Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Auckland, New Zealand; Te Pūnaha Matatini, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Convey
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom; Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa; Cape Horn International Center (CHIC), Puerto Williams, Chile; Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE), Santiago, Chile
| | - Elias T Polymeropoulos
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Dana M Bergstrom
- Global Challenges Program, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa; Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Kingston, Australia
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Burrows JL, Lee JR, Wilson KA. Evaluating the conservation impact of Antarctica's protected areas. Conserv Biol 2023; 37:e14059. [PMID: 36661063 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Antarctic specially protected areas (ASPAs) are a key regulatory mechanism for protecting Antarctic environmental values. Previous evaluations of the effectiveness of the ASPA system focused on its representativeness and design characteristics, presenting a compelling rationale for its systematic revision. Upgrading the system could increase the representation of values within ASPAs, but representation alone does not guarantee the avoided loss or improvement of those values. Identifying factors that influence the effectiveness of ASPAs would inform the design and management of an ASPA system with the greatest capacity to deliver its intended conservation outcomes. To facilitate evaluations of ASPA effectiveness, we devised a research and policy agenda that includes articulating a theory of change for what outcomes ASPAs generate and how; building evaluation principles into ASPA design and designation processes; employing complementary approaches to evaluate multiple dimensions of effectiveness; and extending evaluation findings to identify and exploit drivers of positive conservation impact. Implementing these approaches will enhance the efficacy of ASPAs as a management tool, potentially leading to improved outcomes for Antarctic natural values in an era of rapid global change. Evaluación del impacto de conservación de las áreas protegidas de la Antártida.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L Burrows
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jasmine R Lee
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge, UK
| | - Kerrie A Wilson
- Securing Antarctica's Environmental Future, School of Biology and Environmental Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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Tejedo P, Benayas J, Cajiao D, Leung YF, De Filippo D, Liggett D. What are the real environmental impacts of Antarctic tourism? Unveiling their importance through a comprehensive meta-analysis. J Environ Manage 2022; 308:114634. [PMID: 35151103 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Human activities in Antarctica were increasing before the COVID-19 pandemic, and tourism was not an exception. The growth and diversification of Antarctic tourism over the last few decades have been extensively studied. However, environmental impacts associated with this activity have received less attention despite an increasing body of scholarship examining environmental issues related to Antarctic tourism. Aside from raising important research questions, the potential negative effects of tourist visits in Antarctica are also an issue discussed by Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties. This study presents the results of a meta-analysis of scholarly publications that synthesizes and updates our current knowledge of environmental impacts resulting from Antarctic tourism. A first publication database containing 233 records that focussed on this topic was compiled and subjected to a general bibliometric and content analysis. Further, an in-depth content analysis was performed on a subset of 75 records, which were focussed on showing specific research on Antarctic tourism impacts. The main topic, methods, management proposals, and research gaps highlighted by the respective authors of these 75 publications were assessed. The range of research topics addressed, the methods used - including the application of established research designs from the field of environmental impact assessment -, and the conclusions reached by the study authors are discussed. Interestingly, almost one third of the studies did not detect a direct relationship between tourism and significant negative effects on the environment. Cumulative impacts of tourism have received little attention, and long-term and comprehensive monitoring programs have been discussed only rarely, leading us to assume that such long-term programs are scarce. More importantly, connections between research and policy or management do not always exist. This analysis highlights the need for a comprehensive strategy to investigate and monitor the environmental impacts of tourism in Antarctica. A first specific research and monitoring programme to stimulate a debate among members of the Antarctic scientific and policy communities is proposed, with the ultimate goal of advancing the regulation and management of Antarctic tourism collaboratively.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Tejedo
- Grupo de Investigación ECOPOLAR - Biología y Ecología en Ambientes Polares, Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Darwin 2, E-28049, Madrid, Spain.
| | - J Benayas
- Grupo de Investigación ECOPOLAR - Biología y Ecología en Ambientes Polares, Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Darwin 2, E-28049, Madrid, Spain.
| | - D Cajiao
- Grupo de Investigación ECOPOLAR - Biología y Ecología en Ambientes Polares, Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Darwin 2, E-28049, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Ecología Aplicada ECOLAP-USFQ, Universidad de San Francisco de Quito, P.O. Box 1712841, Diego de Robles y Pampite, Cumbayá, Ecuador.
| | - Y-F Leung
- Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management and Center for Geospatial Analytics, North Carolina State University, 5107 Jordan Hall, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA.
| | - D De Filippo
- Laboratorio de Estudios Métricos de la Información (LEMI), Departamento de Biblioteconomía y Documentación, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, E-28903, Getafe, Spain; Research Institute for Higher Education and Science (INAECU) (UAM-UC3M), E-28903, Getafe, Spain.
| | - D Liggett
- Gateway Antarctica, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand.
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Li Q, Dai M, Luo F. Influence of Tourism Disturbance on Soil Microbial Community Structure in Dawei Mountain National Forest Park. Sustainability 2022; 14:1162. [DOI: 10.3390/su14031162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This research aimed to reveal the response characteristics of soil microbial community structure to different degrees of tourism disturbance. To explore the soil microbial community structure’s response mechanism, we set up continuous plots with different interference intensities: high disturbance, middle disturbance, and the control area. We collected 0–10 cm topsoil in all plots and used Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing method to obtain and analyze the response characteristics of soil microbial community composition and structure under different tourism disturbances. These results were then combined with alpha diversity and environmental factors to explore the microbial response mechanism. In the tested soil, Acidobacteria, Chlorocurve, and Proteobacteria were the main bacterial phyla, while Basidiomycota and Ascomycota were the main fungal phyla. Based on the phylum, the relative abundance of the microbial community between the interference groups was compared using a significance test, with significant differences found between the interference groups in the phyla Chloroflexus, GAL15, Rokubacteria, and Blastomonas (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of the dominant phyla in the fungal community was significantly different among the groups (p < 0.05). A principal component analysis of the soil microbial community structure suggested that the soil microbial community structure was significantly different for different interference levels.
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Hebel I, Gonzalez I, Jaña R. Genetic Approach on Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske to Evaluate Representativeness of in situ Conservation Areas Among Protected and Neighboring Free Access Areas in Maritime Antarctica and Southern Patagonia. Front Conserv Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2021.647798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) are zones with restricted access to protect outstanding environmental, scientific, historic, aesthetic, or wilderness values adopted inside the Antarctic Treaty System. Meanwhile, in southern Patagonia, conservation initiatives are implemented by the state of Chile and private entities. However, both are considered unrepresentative. Our work evaluates the representativeness of the in situ conservation through a genetic approach of the moss Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske among protected and neighboring free access areas in Maritime Antarctica and southern Patagonia. We discuss observed presence with both current and reconstructed past potential niche distributions (11 and 6 ka BP) in the Fildes Peninsula on King George Island. Results showed occurrence of several spatially genetic subpopulations distributed inside and among ASPA and free access sites. Some free access sites showed a higher amount of polymorphism compared with ASPA, having ancestry in populations developed in those places since 6 ka BP. The different spatial and temporal hierarchies in the analysis suggest that places for conservation of this species in Maritime Antarctica are not well-represented, and that some free access areas should be considered. This work represents a powerful multidisciplinary approach and a great challenge for decision-makers to improve the management plans and the sustainable development in Antarctica.
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Cajiao D, Benayas J, Tejedo P, Leung Y. Adaptive Management of Sustainable Tourism in Antarctica: A Rhetoric or Working Progress? Sustainability 2021; 13:7649. [DOI: 10.3390/su13147649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Growth and diversification of tourism activities in Antarctica have not been matched by proactive strategies for planning or management. Recognizing that the adaptive management approach has been effectively implemented in managing tourism in protected areas, we examine to what extent this approach has been incorporated into the Antarctic tourism research and management, and what constraints exist for its implementation. To better understand the extent of literature contributions, we conducted an appraisal of 72 peer-reviewed journal articles published from 1992 to 2020 and Antarctic management documents. From a scientific perspective, researchers have been advocating for adaptive management approaches to Antarctic tourism and have applied different elements, particularly ecological assessments, design of management measures, monitoring, and regulatory mechanisms. However, these contributions have not been necessarily translated into management policy and regulations. We acknowledge that full implementation of an adaptive management approach is not easily achievable due to the unique Antarctic regime. However, we argue that comprehensive site-specific and regional adaptive management models could be applied as the first step for a more systematic implementation. This incremental approach could contribute to enhanced stakeholder participation and improved decision-making processes, ultimately leading to a more proactive and effective management of Antarctic tourism, essential for the conservation of the continent.
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Grant SM, Waller CL, Morley SA, Barnes DKA, Brasier MJ, Double MC, Griffiths HJ, Hughes KA, Jackson JA, Waluda CM, Constable AJ. Local Drivers of Change in Southern Ocean Ecosystems: Human Activities and Policy Implications. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.624518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Local drivers are human activities or processes that occur in specific locations, and cause physical or ecological change at the local or regional scale. Here, we consider marine and land-derived pollution, non-indigenous species, tourism and other human visits, exploitation of marine resources, recovery of marine mammals, and coastal change as a result of ice loss, in terms of their historic and current extent, and their interactions with the Southern Ocean environment. We summarise projected increases or decreases in the influence of local drivers, and projected changes to their geographic range, concluding that the influence of non-indigenous species, fishing, and the recovery of marine mammals are predicted to increase in the future across the Southern Ocean. Local drivers can be managed regionally, and we identify existing governance frameworks as part of the Antarctic Treaty System and other instruments which may be employed to mitigate or limit their impacts on Southern Ocean ecosystems.
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Cajiao D, Albertos B, Tejedo P, Muñoz-Puelles L, Garilleti R, Lara F, Sancho LG, Tirira DG, Simón-Baile D, Reck GK, Olave C, Benayas J. Assessing the conservation values and tourism threats in Barrientos Island, Antarctic Peninsula. J Environ Manage 2020; 266:110593. [PMID: 32392143 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Antarctica has been witnessing continued growth of tourism, both in the overall visitation and in the diversity of itineraries and visitor activities. Expanding tourism presents unique business and educational opportunities, but it is also putting immense pressure on Antarctica's natural, and for the most parts, pristine environment. Understanding the effectiveness of different tourism management strategies and instruments, like the Visitor Site Guidelines adopted by the Antarctic Treaty, is fundamental to the sustainable management of Antarctic tourism. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of Visitor Site Guidelines and other tourism management actions in reducing impacts to the natural environment and for this, we used Barrientos Island as our case study as this is one of the most popular sites for tourism activities in the Antarctic Peninsula Region. First, we conducted a literature review and biological inventories to enable a thorough description of Barrientos Island's ecological values. The results show that Barrientos Island occupies the third highest biological richness among the top 15 most visited sites in the Antarctic Peninsula Region. We then assessed how tourism use on Barrientos Island affected biodiversity and the environment, and how Visitor Site Guidelines and other management measures helped alleviate these impacts. As intended, these instruments has been positive and valuable by providing operational guidance. However, they may lack significant information for tourism decision-making processes. To this end, we propose an alternative adaptive management approach that can more efficiently conserve biodiversity and environmental values while allowing the development of sustainable tourism activities in Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Cajiao
- Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Darwin 2, E-28049, Madrid, Spain; Instituto de Ecología Aplicada ECOLAP-USFQ, Universidad de San Francisco de Quito, P.O. Box 1712841, Diego de Robles y Pampite, Cumbayá, Ecuador.
| | - Belén Albertos
- Departamento de Botánica y Geología, Universidad de Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés S/n, E-46100, Burjassot, Spain.
| | - Pablo Tejedo
- Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Darwin 2, E-28049, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Laura Muñoz-Puelles
- Departamento de Ingeniería Geológica y Minera. Facultad de Ciencias Ambientales y Bioquímica. Campus Real Fábrica de Armas Toledo. Edificio Sabatini. Universidad de Castilla La Mancha. Avenida de Carlos III, 21. 45004, Toledo, Spain.
| | - Ricardo Garilleti
- Departamento de Botánica y Geología, Universidad de Valencia, Avda. Vicente Andrés Estellés S/n, E-46100, Burjassot, Spain.
| | - Francisco Lara
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Darwin 2, E-28049, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), c/ Darwin 2, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Leopoldo G Sancho
- Unidad de Botánica. Facultad de Farmacia. Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal, S/n, E-28040 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Diego G Tirira
- Fundación Mamíferos y Conservación, Urbanización Hacienda Capelo 165, Capelo, Rumiñahui, Ecuador.
| | - Débora Simón-Baile
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra y la Construcción. Universidad de las Fuerzas Amadas ESPE P.O. Box 171-5-231-B, Sangolquí, Ecuador.
| | - Günther K Reck
- Instituto de Ecología Aplicada ECOLAP-USFQ, Universidad de San Francisco de Quito, P.O. Box 1712841, Diego de Robles y Pampite, Cumbayá, Ecuador.
| | - Carlos Olave
- Centro de Estudios del Cuaternario Fuego, Patagonia y Antártica. Fundación CEQUA, Av. España 184 - Punta Arenas, Chile.
| | - Javier Benayas
- Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/ Darwin 2, E-28049, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), c/ Darwin 2, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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Enríquez N, Tejedo P, Benayas J, Albertos B, Luciáñez MJ. Collembola of Barrientos Island, Antarctica: first census and assessment of environmental factors determining springtail distribution. Polar Biol 2018; 41:713-25. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-017-2230-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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