Antarctica’s increased connection to international ports through shipping poses an increasing risk of introducing invasive species into the region’s fragile ecosystem, says a new international study. In it, researchers say global warming is increasingly making the region hospitable to non-native species. “However, climate change is removing physiological barriers to potential invasive nonnative species and increasing ship activities are raising propagule pressure. The successful conservation of iconic Antarctic species and environments relies on addressing both climate change and direct, localized human impact.”International shipping was identified as a concern for introducing potential species. There are strict regulations in place for preventing non-native species getting into Antarctica, but the success of these relies on having the information to inform management decisions.

Source: CBC News January 15, 2022 03:29 UTC