Climate Warming in Antarctica is Triggering Changes in Biodiversity and Terrestrial Ecosystems

Antarctica climate changes relating to ice and ocean currents have global impacts, but changes on terrestrial ecosystems in the Antarctic are less well known. This is partially due to the small area of exposed land, the apparent isolation, and lack of permanent residents. However, low diversity ecosystems, such as Antarctic polar deserts, are expected to be more vulnerable to global changes and are located in regions that are likely to see some of the greatest climate changes. Evidence is accumulating that terrestrial regions of Antarctica are experiencing substantial but variable responses to climate change and human disturbance. In the McMurdo Dry Valleys and in the rapidly warming Antarctic Peninsula region, temperature changes have a rippling effect that control habitat dynamics, species, carbon cycling, especially since these ecosystems are situated on a threshold between frozen and liquid water. Direct anthropogenic effects, including tourism and invasive species are also changing terrestrial communities but the magnitude and duration is dependent on numerous interacting factors. Global change scenarios incorporating species abundance, species traits, community change and monitoring of changes in biogeography will be important for determining alterations to ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycling.