A protected area has been established in Antarctica near the Akademik Vernadsky Station
A new nature reserve has been established near the Ukrainian Antarctic research station Akademik Vernadsky.
This is the Antarctic Specially Protected Area “Collins Bay,” established to preserve the unique ecosystem of the frozen continent and limit the impact of human activity in this region.
Where is the new protected area located?
According to the National Antarctic Scientific Center (NASC), the Ukrainian initiative to create a new specially protected area—"Collins Bay"—was unanimously supported by the member states of the Antarctic Treaty (back in May).
It is specified that this area is located:
in the "Kyiv" geographical zone of the Antarctic Peninsula;
near the Ukrainian Antarctic station "Academician Vernadsky."
Its area is 1.65 km².
What unique features does this territory encompass?
Ukrainians were told that the new specially protected area encompasses a number of islands and capes with unique:
flora;
fauna.
It is reported that there:
both Antarctic flowering plant species—the Antarctic willow and the Antarctic pearlwort—grow on the rocks;
there are rare communities of lichens and mosses (for example, Didymodon—a moss that grows "upside down").
Adélie penguins nest on one of the islands.
"Unlike sub-Antarctic populations, theirs is declining due to global warming," noted the NASC.
In addition, the only known nests of snow petrels in this region are located within the specially protected area "Collins Bay."
Why this Ukrainian initiative is important
The NASC explained that the idea to designate this area as a nature reserve first emerged among our scientists seven years ago.
After all, the vulnerable ecosystems of Antarctica are currently under significant pressure from:
tourism;
related logistics.
"According to the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat, in the 2020s the number of tourists visiting the region exceeded 100,000 people per year," the NASC clarified.
At the same time, about 98% of tourist voyages are directed to the Antarctic Peninsula during the short summer season.
Experts reported that the increase in shipping and visitors raises the risks of:
disturbance of bird nesting sites;
degradation of terrestrial vegetation;
the spread of invasive species.
"That is why it is important to establish special protection zones where tourist access will be restricted," explained the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine.
In addition to nature conservation, the creation of a new Antarctic special protection area serves an important scientific purpose.
"Our researchers have established monitoring sites in the area for long-term monitoring of how flora and fauna respond to climate change," the NASC shared.
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