Invasive non-native species likely to threaten biodiversity and ecosystems in the Antarctic Peninsula region.

ABSTRACT: The Antarctic is considered to be a pristine environment relative to other regions of the Earth, but it is increasingly vulnerable to invasions by marine, freshwater and terrestrial non-native species. The Antarctic Peninsula region (APR), which encompasses the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands and South Orkney Islands, is by far the most invaded part of the Antarctica continent. The risk of introduction of invasive non-native species to the APR is likely to increase with predicted increases in the intensity, diversity and distribution of human activities. Parties that are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty have called for regional assessments of non-native species risk. In response, taxonomic and Antarctic experts undertook a horizon scanning exercise using expert opinion and c

SUBMITTER: Hughes KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7154743 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature