Research sites get closer to field camps over time: Informing environmental management through a geospatial analysis of science in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica.

Stephen M Chignell,Adrian Howkins,Madeline E Myers,Andrew G Fountain,Charles William Martin

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0257950

Stephen M Chignell, Adrian Howkins + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257950

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Abstract

As in many parts of the world, the management of environmental science research in Antarctica relies on cost-benefit analysis of negative environmental impact versus positive scientific gain. Several studies have examined the environmental impact of Antarctic field camps, but very little work looks at how the placement of these camps influences scientific research. In this study, we integrate bibliometrics, geospatial analysis, and historical research to understand the relationship between field camp placement and scientific production in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of East Antarctica. Our analysis of the scientific corpus from 1907-2016 shows that, on average, research sites have become less dispersed and closer to field camps over time. Scientific output does not necessarily correspond to the number of field camps, and constructing a field camp does not always lead to a subsequent increase in research in the local area. Our results underscore the need to consider the complex historical and spatial relationships between field camps and research sites in environmental management decision-making in Antarctica and other protected areas.

Highlights

By many measures, the Antarctic continent is among the most protected environments anywhere on the planet [1]
Geospatial analysis, and historical research, we examine the relationship between the timing and location of semi-permanent field camps to the patterns of scientific research in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV)
Our analysis of field science in the McMurdo Dry Valleys shows that, on average, study sites have become closer to field camps over time as both field camps and study sites have become centralized in Taylor and Wright Valleys

Summary

Introduction

The Antarctic continent is among the most protected environments anywhere on the planet [1]. The 1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (commonly known as the Madrid Protocol) prohibited economic mineral activities, introduced extensive measures to prevent the introduction of non-native species, and established a Committee for Environmental Protection to assess the environmental impact of human activities in Antarctica. An important tool of the committee is the environmental impact assessment, which has been used in Antarctica since the mid-1970s [2,3,4,5]. In common with their use in other parts of the world, environmental impact assessments offer a template. A historical geospatial analysis of field camps and research sites in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

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