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 change Non-native incursions Human impacts New Treaty members New value sets Quality and timeliness of decision making Availability of data and information Strategic thinking and prioritisation Political 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

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 CEP US IAATO ASOC NZItalyKorea 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