Abstract
The impacts of two Antarctic stations in different regions, on marine sediment macrofaunal communities were compared: McMurdo, a very large station in the Ross Sea; and Casey, a more typical small station in East Antarctica. Community structure and diversity were compared along a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance from heavily contaminated to uncontaminated locations. We examined some of the inherent problems in comparing data from unrelated studies, such as different sampling methods, spatial and temporal scales of sampling and taxonomic uncertainty. These issues generated specific biases which were taken into account when interpreting patterns. Control sites in the two regions had very different communities but both were dominated by crustaceans. Community responses to anthropogenic disturbance (sediment contamination by metals, oils and sewage) were also different. At McMurdo the proportion of crustaceans decreased in disturbed areas and polychaetes became dominant, whereas at Casey, crustaceans increased in response to disturbance, largely through an increase in amphipods. Despite differing overall community responses there were some common elements. Ostracods, cumaceans and echinoderms were sensitive to disturbance in both regions. Capitellid, dorvelleid and orbiniid polychaetes were indicative of disturbed sites. Amphipods, isopods and tanaids had different responses at each station. Biodiversity and taxonomic distinctness were significantly lower at disturbed locations in both regions. The size of the impact, however, was not related to the level of contamination, with a larger reduction in biodiversity at Casey, the smaller, less polluted station. The impacts of small stations, with low to moderate levels of contamination, can thus be as great as those of large or heavily contaminated stations. Regional broad scale environmental influences may be important in determining the composition of communities and thus their response to disturbance, but there are some generalizations regarding responses which will aid future management of stations.
Highlights
Understanding the ecological consequences of disturbance from Antarctic stations is important in the management and prevention of environmental impacts
This study aims to increase our understanding of the way in which Antarctic coastal benthic communities respond to anthropogenic disturbance and improve approaches to the detection and assessment of the size and nature of impacts of Antarctic stations
Comparison of Anthropogenic Disturbance Direct comparison of contaminant levels between the stations is difficult as different sampling, analytical and assessment methods have been used at each station, with only patchy measurement of some contaminants, at Casey
Summary
Understanding the ecological consequences of disturbance from Antarctic stations is important in the management and prevention of environmental impacts. Clearer understanding of the way in which Antarctic coastal ecosystems respond to disturbance, together with proven methods for detecting impacts and assessing biodiversity, will aid operators and policy makers attempting to improve environmental management of research stations. Countries managing stations need the ability to assess their potential impacts and understand them in a Antarctic-wide context. This includes assessing local biodiversity in comparison to regional and Antarctic wide biodiversity and how it is impacted. This study aims to increase our understanding of the way in which Antarctic coastal benthic communities respond to anthropogenic disturbance and improve approaches to the detection and assessment of the size and nature of impacts of Antarctic stations. We examine the regional assessment and comparison of biodiversity, a key component in MPA planning
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