Alien invaders threaten Antarctic fringes (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Richard Black
Environment correspondent, BBC News

The fringes of Antarctica are being invaded by alien plants and tiny animals, scientists have found.

Researchers scoured the clothes and boots of tourists and scientists visiting the continent, and found that most were carrying plant seeds.

Alien plants already grow on the fast-warming Antarctic Peninsula.

Writing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the team says the plants are likely to spread as the climate warms.

"People in the past have been sceptical, saying 'it's largely ice-covered so it's unlikely that plants will establish themselves'," said lead researcher Steven Chown from Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
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more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17258799

[ellisonz]

1. Time to get serious about controlling this phenomenon.

There is no legal obligation to clean up accidentally introduced alien species under the Antarctic Treaty.

[jpak]

2. New Zealand has a good system of cleaning camping equipment and boots upon arrival in-country

Antarctic tour companies should clean all boots they issue every time they are used - and the footwear of passengers and crew when thy board the ship.

Same for researchers - and their gear and supplies.