Advisory Committee for Cyberinfrastructure
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
South Georgia and Antarctic Odyssey
South Georgia and Antarctic Odyssey 30 November – 18 December 2019 | Greg Mortimer About Us Aurora Expeditions embodies the spirit of adventure, travelling to some of the most wild opportunity for adventure and discovery. Our highly experienced expedition team of and remote places on our planet. With over 28 years’ experience, our small group voyages naturalists, historians and destination specialists are passionate and knowledgeable – they allow for a truly intimate experience with nature. are the secret to a fulfilling and successful voyage. Our expeditions push the boundaries with flexible and innovative itineraries, exciting Whilst we are dedicated to providing a ‘trip of a lifetime’, we are also deeply committed to wildlife experiences and fascinating lectures. You’ll share your adventure with a group education and preservation of the environment. Our aim is to travel respectfully, creating of like-minded souls in a relaxed, casual atmosphere while making the most of every lifelong ambassadors for the protection of our destinations. DAY 1 | Saturday 30 November 2019 Ushuaia, Beagle Channel Position: 20:00 hours Course: 83° Wind Speed: 20 knots Barometer: 991 hPa & steady Latitude: 54°49’ S Wind Direction: W Air Temp: 6° C Longitude: 68°18’ W Sea Temp: 5° C Explore. Dream. Discover. —Mark Twain in the soft afternoon light. The wildlife bonanza was off to a good start with a plethora of seabirds circling the ship as we departed. Finally we are here on the Beagle Channel aboard our sparkling new ice-strengthened vessel. This afternoon in the wharf in Ushuaia we were treated to a true polar welcome, with On our port side stretched the beech forested slopes of Argentina, while Chile, its mountain an invigorating breeze sweeping the cobwebs of travel away. -
Management Plan for Specially Protected Area No. 8 Dion Islands, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula
ANNEX TO RECOMMENDATION XVI-6 Management Plan for Specially Protected Area No. 8 Dion Islands, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula 1. Geographical location The Dion Islands (67°52'S, 68°43'W) are a small group of low-lying rocky islands lying about 13 km south of the southern end of Adelaide Island, in the north- western part of Marguerite Bay. 2. Management Plan (i) Description of Area The Area comprises all of the Dion Islands archipelago, which lie within an area of about 12 km2, together with the intervening sea. The islands and islets are small, rocky and often precipitous, notably Emperor Island which is also the highest (46 m altitude). The main islands are the largest of the Courtier Islands group (c. 8 ha), Emperor Island (c. 5 ha) and the largest of the Consort Islands group (c. 3 ha). Low lying areas occur on the two largest islands. There are a few small permanent ice patches, but there are no streams or permanent pools. (ii) Reason for designation The Area possesses the only known breeding population of Emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula. It is situated on a low-lying raised beach and rocky headland in the south-eastern part of Emperor Island. It is also the most northerly and probably the smallest colony (annual numbers fluctuate between about 50 and 500 pairs), and is one of only two in which breeding occurs on land (see also SPA No. 1). It is also the most isolated Emperor colony, being about 2,500 km (by sea) from the nearest other known rookery. -
Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 151
Measure 5 (2019) Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 151 Lions Rump, King George Island, South Shetland Islands Introduction Lions Rump (62º08’S; 58º07’W) is located on the southwestern coast of King George Island, South Shetland Islands, covering approximately 1.32 km2 in area. The Area takes its name from the distinctive rocky hill lying between the southern extremity of King George Bay and Lions Cove. The Area was originally designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest No 34 through Recommendation XVI-2 (1991, SSSI No 34) after a proposal by Poland on the grounds that it contains diverse biota and geological features and is a representative example of the terrestrial, limnological, and littoral habitats of the maritime Antarctic. The Area was designated primarily to protect its ecological values. It is also valuable as a reference site with diverse avian and mammalian Antarctic fauna, against which disturbance at sites situated near locations of human activity can be measured. A revised Management Plan was adopted in Measure 1 (2000). The site was re-designated ASPA No 151 in Decision 1 (2002). A second revised Management Plan was adopted in Measure 11 (2013). Based on the Environmental Domains Analysis for Antarctica (Resolution 3 (2008)) ASPA No 151 lies within Environment A (Antarctic Peninsula northern geologic), which is a small, terrestrial environment around the northern Antarctic Peninsula consisting entirely of ice-free land cover and sedimentary geology (Morgan et al. 2007). Other protected areas containing Domain A include ASPA No 111, ASPA No 128 and ASMA No 1 (Morgan et al. -
Emperor Island, Dion Islands, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula
From Measure 1 (2002) Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 107 EMPEROR ISLAND, DION ISLANDS, MARGUERITE BAY, ANTARCTIC PENINSULA 1. Description of values to be protected The Dion Islands (Latitude 67°52’ S, Longitude 68°42’ W), on the western side of the central Antarctic Peninsula in north-western Marguerite Bay, were originally designated as Specially Protected Area (SPA) No. 8 through Recommendation IV-8 in 1966 after a proposal by the United Kingdom. All of the islands in the Dion Islands archipelago were included. Values protected under the original designation were described as the presence of the only colony of emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) known to exist on the west side of the Antarctic Peninsula and that the isolation of this colony from others of the same species makes it of outstanding scientific interest. A management plan for the Area was adopted through Recommendation XVI-6 (1990), which reaffirmed the values of the Area. The boundaries were extended to include the intervening sea between the islands to ensure protection of the emperors at sea or on sea-ice in the immediate vicinity. Attention was drawn to the additional important value of the colony being one of only two known in which breeding occurs on land. It was also noted as the most northerly and probably the smallest of Emperor colonies, with annual numbers fluctuating around 150 pairs. The values of the emperor penguin colony are reaffirmed in this revised management plan. The boundaries of the Area are now defined more precisely. -
Antarctic Primer
Antarctic Primer By Nigel Sitwell, Tom Ritchie & Gary Miller By Nigel Sitwell, Tom Ritchie & Gary Miller Designed by: Olivia Young, Aurora Expeditions October 2018 Cover image © I.Tortosa Morgan Suite 12, Level 2 35 Buckingham Street Surry Hills, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia To anyone who goes to the Antarctic, there is a tremendous appeal, an unparalleled combination of grandeur, beauty, vastness, loneliness, and malevolence —all of which sound terribly melodramatic — but which truly convey the actual feeling of Antarctica. Where else in the world are all of these descriptions really true? —Captain T.L.M. Sunter, ‘The Antarctic Century Newsletter ANTARCTIC PRIMER 2018 | 3 CONTENTS I. CONSERVING ANTARCTICA Guidance for Visitors to the Antarctic Antarctica’s Historic Heritage South Georgia Biosecurity II. THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Antarctica The Southern Ocean The Continent Climate Atmospheric Phenomena The Ozone Hole Climate Change Sea Ice The Antarctic Ice Cap Icebergs A Short Glossary of Ice Terms III. THE BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT Life in Antarctica Adapting to the Cold The Kingdom of Krill IV. THE WILDLIFE Antarctic Squids Antarctic Fishes Antarctic Birds Antarctic Seals Antarctic Whales 4 AURORA EXPEDITIONS | Pioneering expedition travel to the heart of nature. CONTENTS V. EXPLORERS AND SCIENTISTS The Exploration of Antarctica The Antarctic Treaty VI. PLACES YOU MAY VISIT South Shetland Islands Antarctic Peninsula Weddell Sea South Orkney Islands South Georgia The Falkland Islands South Sandwich Islands The Historic Ross Sea Sector Commonwealth Bay VII. FURTHER READING VIII. WILDLIFE CHECKLISTS ANTARCTIC PRIMER 2018 | 5 Adélie penguins in the Antarctic Peninsula I. CONSERVING ANTARCTICA Antarctica is the largest wilderness area on earth, a place that must be preserved in its present, virtually pristine state. -
Avian Island, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula
Measure 2 (2013) Annex Management Plan for Antarctic Specially Protected Area No. 117 AVIAN ISLAND, MARGUERITE BAY, ANTARCTIC PENINSULA Introduction The primary reason for the designation of Avian Island, Marguerite Bay, Antarctic Peninsula (67°46'S, 68°54'W; 0.49 km2) as an Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPA) is to protect environmental values and primarily the abundance and diversity of breeding seabirds on the island. Avian Island is situated in northwestern Marguerite Bay, 400 m south of Adelaide Island on the western side of the central Antarctic Peninsula. It was originally designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) No. 30 under Recommendation XV-6 in 1989 after a proposal by the United Kingdom. Included was the island together with its littoral zone, but excluded was a small area near a refuge on the northwestern coast of the island. Values protected under the original designation were described as the abundance and diversity of breeding seabirds present on the island, that the southern giant petrel (Macronectes giganteus) colony is one of the most southerly known breeding population of this species, and that the blue-eyed cormorants (Phalacrocorax atriceps) are breeding close to the southern limit of their range. The Area was therefore considered of outstanding ornithological importance, meriting protection from unnecessary human disturbance. Designation as an SSSI was terminated with redesignation of Avian Island as a Specially Protected Area (SPA) through Recommendation XVI-4 (1991, SPA No. 21) after a proposal by the United Kingdom. The boundaries were similar to the original SSSI, but included the entire island and the littoral zone without the exclusion zone near the refuge on the northwestern coast. -
Seasonal and Annual Changes in Antarctic Fur Seal (Arctocephalus Gazella) Diet in the Area of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands
vol. 27, no. 2, pp. 171–184, 2006 Seasonal and annual changes in Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella) diet in the area of Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetland Islands Piotr CIAPUTA1 and Jacek SICIŃSKI2 1 Zakład Biologii Antarktyki, Polska Akademia Nauk, Ustrzycka 10, 02−141 Warszawa, Poland <[email protected]> 2 Zakład Biologii Polarnej i Oceanobiologii, Uniwersytet Łódzki, Banacha 12/16, 90−237 Łódź, Poland <[email protected]> Abstract: This study describes the seasonal and annual changes in the diet of non−breeding male Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) through the analysis of faeces collected on shore during four summer seasons (1993/94–1996/97) in the area of Admiralty Bay (King George Island, South Shetlands). Krill was the most frequent prey, found in 88.3% of the 473 samples. Fish was present in 84.7% of the samples, cephalopods and penguins in 12.5% each. Of the 3832 isolated otoliths, 3737 were identified as belonging to 17 fish species. The most numerous species were: Gymnoscopelus nicholsi, Electrona antarctica, Chionodraco rastro− spinosus, Pleuragramma antarcticum,andNotolepis coatsi. In January, almost exclusively, were taken pelagic Myctophidae constituting up to 90% of the total consumed fish biomass. However, in February and March, the number of bentho−pelagic Channichthyidae and Noto− theniidae as well as pelagic Paralepididae increased significantly, up to 45% of the biomass. In April the biomass of Myctophidae increased again. The frequency of squid and penguin oc− currence was similar and low, but considering the greater individual body mass of penguins, their role as a food item may be much greater. -
Thirty Years of Marine Debris in the Southern Ocean Annual
Environment International 136 (2020) 105460 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Environment International journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/envint Thirty years of marine debris in the Southern Ocean: Annual surveys of two island shores in the Scotia Sea T ⁎ Claire M. Waludaa, , Iain J. Stanilanda, Michael J. Dunna, Sally E. Thorpea, Emily Grillyb, Mari Whitelawa, Kevin A. Hughesa a British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK b Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, 181 Macquarie Street, Hobart 7000, Tasmania, Australia ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Handling Editor: Adrian Covaci We report on three decades of repeat surveys of beached marine debris at two locations in the Scotia Sea, in the Keywords: Southwest Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean. Between October 1989 and March 2019 10,112 items of Marine debris beached debris were recovered from Main Bay, Bird Island, South Georgia in the northern Scotia Sea. The total Plastic mass of items (data from 1996 onwards) was 101 kg. Plastic was the most commonly recovered item (97.5% by Scotia Sea number; 89% by mass) with the remainder made up of fabric, glass, metal, paper and rubber. Mean mass per − − Antarctic item was 0.01 kg and the rate of accumulation was 100 items km 1 month 1. Analyses showed an increase in South Georgia the number of debris items recovered (5.7 per year) but a decline in mean mass per item, suggesting a trend South Orkney towards more, smaller items of debris at Bird Island. At Signy Island, South Orkney Islands, located in the southern Scotia Sea and within the Antarctic Treaty area, debris items were collected from three beaches, during the austral summer only, between 1991 and 2019. -
Federal Register/Vol. 84, No. 78/Tuesday, April 23, 2019/Rules
Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 78 / Tuesday, April 23, 2019 / Rules and Regulations 16791 U.S.C. 3501 et seq., nor does it require Agricultural commodities, Pesticides SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The any special considerations under and pests, Reporting and recordkeeping Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, as Executive Order 12898, entitled requirements. amended (‘‘ACA’’) (16 U.S.C. 2401, et ‘‘Federal Actions to Address Dated: April 12, 2019. seq.) implements the Protocol on Environmental Justice in Minority Environmental Protection to the Richard P. Keigwin, Jr., Populations and Low-Income Antarctic Treaty (‘‘the Protocol’’). Populations’’ (59 FR 7629, February 16, Director, Office of Pesticide Programs. Annex V contains provisions for the 1994). Therefore, 40 CFR chapter I is protection of specially designated areas Since tolerances and exemptions that amended as follows: specially managed areas and historic are established on the basis of a petition sites and monuments. Section 2405 of under FFDCA section 408(d), such as PART 180—[AMENDED] title 16 of the ACA directs the Director the tolerance exemption in this action, of the National Science Foundation to ■ do not require the issuance of a 1. The authority citation for part 180 issue such regulations as are necessary proposed rule, the requirements of the continues to read as follows: and appropriate to implement Annex V Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 Authority: 21 U.S.C. 321(q), 346a and 371. to the Protocol. et seq.) do not apply. ■ 2. Add § 180.1365 to subpart D to read The Antarctic Treaty Parties, which This action directly regulates growers, as follows: includes the United States, periodically food processors, food handlers, and food adopt measures to establish, consolidate retailers, not States or tribes. -
Distribution and Abundance of Breeding Birds at Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, February to April 2000
Bó & Copello: Deception Island breeding birds’ distribution and abundance 39 DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF BREEDING BIRDS AT DECEPTION ISLAND, SOUTH SHETLAND ISLANDS, ANTARCTICA, FEBRUARY TO APRIL 2000 MARÍA SUSANA BÓ & SOFÍA COPELLO Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Vertebrados, Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina ([email protected]) Received 20 September 2000, accepted 15 January 2001 SUMMARY BÓ, M.S. & COPELLO, S. 2000. Distribution and abundance of breeding birds at Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, February to April 2000. Marine Ornithology 29: 39–42. A survey of breeding birds during the brooding stage was carried out from February to April 2000 in the southern portion of Deception Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica. This island supports two Sites of Special Scien- tific Interest (SSSI Nos. 21 and 27). Nine species were found breeding in the study area: Chinstrap Penguin Pygoscelis antarctica (an estimated 6820 breeding pairs at two colonies surveyed), Pintado or Cape Petrel Daption capense (36), Wilson’s Storm Petrel Oceanites oceanicus (3), Antarctic Cormorant Phalacrocorax atriceps bransfieldensis (9), Greater Sheathbill Chionis alba (2), Subantarctic Skua Catharacta antarctica (4), South Polar Skua C. maccormicki (11), Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus (49) and Antarctic Tern Sterna vittata (5). Due to the increasing tourist activity at Deception Island, better information on the location and size of breeding populations is a particular requirement if effective precautionary conservation actions are to be taken. Key words: seabird censuses, Deception Island, Antarctica INTRODUCTION tal Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) Populations of most seabird species in Antarctica are stable or (Walton & Dingwall 1995). -
~©L%~Bulletin No
The International Council for Science ~©L%~bulletin No. 150 July 2003 Measures, Decisions and Resolutions adopted at the Twenty-fifth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting Warsaw, Poland, 10-20 September 2002 p 1 = Published by the SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON ANTARCTIC RESEARCH at the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, United Kingdom THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON ANTARCTIC RESEARCH SCAR BULLETIN No 150, July 2003 Twenty-fifth Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting Warsaw, Poland, 10-20 September 2002 Decisions, Resolutions and Measures MEASURE 1 (2002) Antarctic Protected Area System: Management Plans Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 124, Cape for Antarctic Specially Protected Areas Crozier, Ross Island; The Representatives, Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 126, Byers Recalling Resolution 1 (1998) allocating responsibility Peninsula, Livingston Island; among Consultative Parties for the revision of Management Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 130, "Tram Plans for Protected areas; way Ridge", Mount Erebus, Ross Island; Noting that the draft Management Plans appended to this • Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 137, North Measure have been endorsed by the Committee for west White Island, McMurdo Sound; Environmentqal Protection and the Scientific Committee • Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 147, Abla on Antarctic Research (SCAR); tion Point - Ganymede Heights; Recognizing that these Areas support outstanding natural Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 148, Mount features and biota of scientific interest; Flora, Hope Bay; Recommend to their Governments the following Measure Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 157, Back for approval in accordance with paragraph 1 of Article 6 of door Bay, Cape Royds, Ross Island. Annex V to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to and which are annexed to this Measure, be adopted. -
1- 7555-01 NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978
This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 09/28/2015 and available online at http://federalregister.gov/a/2015-24522, and on FDsys.gov 7555-01 NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Permit Applications Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 AGENCY: National Science Foundation ACTION: Notice of Permit Applications Received under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978, P.L. 95-541. SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) is required to publish a notice of permit applications received to conduct activities regulated under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978. NSF has published regulations under the Antarctic Conservation Act at Title 45 Part 670 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This is the required notice of permit applications received. DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit written data, comments, or views with respect to this permit application by [INSERT 30 DAYS FROM DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. This application may be inspected by interested parties at the Permit Office, address below. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Permit Office, Room 755, Division of Polar Programs, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Li Ling Hamady, ACA Permit Officer, at the above address or [email protected] or (703) 292-7149. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Science Foundation, as directed by the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-541), as amended by the Antarctic Science, Tourism and Conservation Act of 1996, has developed regulations for the establishment of a permit system for various activities in Antarctica and designation of certain animals and certain geographic areas a requiring special protection.