A Terrestrial Observing Network for local and

continental management

An Environmental Manager’s Perspective

Images © Antarctica New Zealand Pictorial Collection

Dr Neil Gilbert – Manager Environment

• Background• The Protocol• Changing context• The Dry Valleys ASMA management plan

• The Dry Valleys worries of an environmental manager• The need for “policy-ready” information

• Today the Dry Valleys, tomorrow Antarctica• Developing an Antarctic terrestrial observing network• Outcomes to CEP XV (June 2012)

“What is now needed is a science-policy interface that connects the

dots, proposes solutions and sounds alarm bells on emerging issues”

Sybil Seitzinger, Executive Director of IGBP (March 2012)

Changing context

Policy / management response

Climate changeNon-native incursionsHuman impactsNew Treaty membersNew value sets

Quality and timeliness of decision makingAvailability of data and informationStrategic thinking and prioritisationPolitical will

“Steady as she goes”…….no longer appropriate

Map: Australian Antarctic Division

• Antarctica: A natural reserve devoted to peace and science

• Monitoring a key principle:• Regular and effective monitoring to • assess predicted and actual impacts

(Article 3(2)(d))

• facilitate early detection of unforeseen effects (Article 3(2)(e))

ASMA 2 – the Dry Valleys

• Adopted 2004• Revised 2011• Key components:• Protection objectives• Management Activities• Management Group• Code of conduct• Guidance material for

zones

www.mcmurdodryvalleys.aq

ASMA 2 – the Dry Valleys

Objectives include:• Long-term protection of key

values by minimising cumulative impacts

• Prevent introduction of non-native species and transfer of native species

• Understand natural processes and human impacts through monitoring

• Next review due in 2016

Dry Valleys Management Group

• Irregular meetings• But ambitious work

plan

Management Group concerns – not all about cc

Zones• Are the Dry Valleys all one place?• Can we characterise the biogeographic zones of the Dry Valleys?

(In hand!)

Native species• What are the risks of transferring native species – between zones / valleys / lakes?• Are there important or unusual assemblages?• Biodiversity map (In hand!)

Non-native species risks• Which zones / habitats are most at risk?• What preventative procedures should we be adopting now?

Management Group concerns

Human activities / impacts• How do we assess cumulative human impacts?• Camp sites / walking tracks / helo landings / sampling

• Should tourists be allowed to visit? If so, where?• Coastal sites vs inland sites

Intrinsic values• How significant are the freshwater systems?

Climate and environmental change• How (and how fast) will the Dry Valleys respond?• Should we be establishing inviolate areas now?

Malcolm McLeod, Landcare Research (unpublished)

Robyn Andrew, Gateway Antarctica, University of Canterbury (unpublished)

A Dry Valleys observing network

Key ingredients:• End user demand • Framework approach• Prioritised monitoring objectives• Agreed methodologies• Temporal and spatial components

• Data management• Reporting

• Oversight – DV Management Group + DV Observing Network Steering Group• Regular workshops / review• Enhanced collaboration between national programmes

An Antarctic terrestrial observing network

Stars aligning

• ATME on climate change (April 2010)• 30 recommendations

• CEP XV (June 2012)• Progress on ATME recommendations• Consideration of monitoring in protected areas• Methods for monitoring (remote sensing)• Antarctic Biogeographic Conservation Regions adopted• Non-native species surveillance strategy endorsed• Antarctic Environments Portal Project encouraged

An Antarctic terrestrial observing network

ATME on climate change 2010

•Recommendation 14: ……development of sustained integrated observing systems using in situ, air and space-based techniques.

•Recommendation 20: ……priority attention should be paid to regions considered to be at high risk of climate change impacts as well as to existing protected areas established to protect biological values.

•Recommendation 27: …….adequate monitoring programmes are established to provide an understanding of climate change induced responses in species distribution and abundance.

An Antarctic terrestrial observing network

•CEP XV …….agreed to establish a network of sites for monitoring species distribution and abundance, with priority afforded to ASPAs designated for their flora and / or fauna diversity and abundance.

•CEP XV …….recognised the value of applying consistent monitoring methodologies at ASPAs so that changes …….can be compared continent wide to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of climate change effects in Antarctica.

Morgan et al. (2007, Landcare Research Report)21 Environmental Domains

Terauds et al. (2012, Diversity and Distributions)

Chown et al. (2012). Increase in annual cumulative degree days indicating risk of alien species establishment

Observing Network examples

• Arctic examples…quite excellent!

Summary

• High standards of protection in place in Antarctica• DV ASMA particularly special

• Never been a more important time for science /policy dialogue

• Dry Valleys• Ongoing management challenges• Observing network established in conjunction with

Management Group• The first ASMA with robust observing network in place

• Antarctica• AnTONet – the time is right!• DV a model example