ABSTRACT
Background
The Antarctic is an extreme environment for plants. Several invasive plant species, however, have invaded the sub-Antarctic Southern Ocean islands and increasingly threaten the vulnerability of maritime and continental Antarctica, particularly with changes in climate.
Aims
We provide an overview of issues to consider with regard to the impact, ecology and management of non-native plants in the Antarctic, focusing on knowledge gained and recent research results from the sub-Antarctic with possible application to Antarctica.
Methods
We provide a brief review of literature and bring together experience and previously unpublished research with Poa annua and Stellaria media on Macquarie Island.
Results
While no one set of biological characteristics predicts plant invasiveness in the sub-Antarctic, all are adapted to survive extreme cold conditions and persistence is enabled through large and long-lived soil seed banks. Ecological drivers for invasion include accidental human introductions and continuing movement, along with animal and other disturbance to soil.
Conclusion
The invasive cold-tolerant plant species now prevalent on sub-Antarctic islands also pose a threat to Antarctica due to a warming climate and so efforts should continue to prevent further spread, while developing effective, low-impact control and eradication options to protect these high-value extreme ecosystems.
Acknowledgments
We thank Dr Justine Shaw for her invaluable collaboration, and Jane Gosden, Karen Ziegler, Dr Luis Rodriguez Pertierra, and Dr Alex Fergus for technical and field assistance. We thank Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife for access and scientific permits.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).