Invasive species threaten Antarctica's delicate ecosystem balance

Antarctica faces a growing threat from invasive species. Scientists warn that melting sea ice and decreasing ice coverage could turn Antarctica into a new habitat for foreign organisms.

Antarctica, known for its harsh conditions and isolation, is on the brink of significant ecological changes. Shrinking sea ice coverage and rising temperatures in the region have led to invasive species' increasing access to this previously unreachable continent. Research conducted by Australian scientists reveals alarming trends that could affect Antarctica's ecological balance. In this article, we will examine which regions are most at risk and what the potential impacts of this phenomenon could be.

Antarctica, once an unreachable wildlife stronghold, is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the invasion of foreign species. Accelerating sea ice melt and calving icebergs make floating organic and plastic debris a bridge for species from other continents. In recent years, scientists from the University of New South Wales have discovered that foreign species now have easier access to Antarctica thanks to warming waters and changing ocean currents.

Studies show that most foreign species arrive from Macquarie Island, located south of New Zealand, where the time spent on the water's surface is relatively short. On the other hand, objects from South America take significantly longer to reach Antarctica. Although the journey takes longer, it does not change the fact that melting sea ice is becoming a less effective protective barrier.

These changes are particularly concerning because invasive species can adapt to new conditions and threaten local ecosystems that are not adapted to new arrivals. The shrinking ice sheet means Antarctica's natural protective boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred.

Antarctica is not a uniform place in terms of the threat of invasive species. Research carried out by scientists from the University of New South Wales indicates that the most vulnerable areas to invasion are the coasts of the Antarctic Peninsula. There, where the ocean temperature is relatively higher, and sea ice is less persistent, foreign species have the greatest chance of settling.

The Antarctic Peninsula is located the farthest north in relation to the rest of the continent, making it more accessible to floating organisms. As sea ice melts, these areas become increasingly open to new forms of life. It is here that foreign species can find favourable conditions for development, which could have serious consequences for local ecosystems.

Southern bull kelp and giant kelp are very big—often more than 10 m long—and create forest-like habitat for a lot of small animals, which they can carry with them on the long rafting trips to Antarctica. If they colonise Antarctica, marine ecosystems there could change dramaticall, emphasised Dr. Hannah R. S. Dawson, who leads the research.

The dramatic reduction of sea ice around Antarctica makes these areas extremely vulnerable to colonisation by species that would typically not have access to such remote regions. The presence of such species can lead to ecological imbalance, affecting all aspects of local environments.