Antarctic wetlands are unique, unrecognized, unprotected ecosystems

MATALONI, G.; QUINTANA, R.D.; LIBERTELLI, M.

Lisboa

Conferencia; 2023 SCAR SC_HASS BIENNIAL CONFERENCE; 2023

Theoretical background / Goals / Motivation: Wetlands are ecosystems characterized by the presence of water, yet different from terrestrial and freshwater ones. They sustained the development of entire civilizations while being biodiversity hotspots around the world. Because of these multiple functions most are severely impacted and need protection. Since 1971, the Ramsar Convention designated over 2000 Wetlands of International Importance in all continents but Antarctica. As the primary requisite for site designation is to contain a wetland rare, unique or representative of a biogeographical region, at least one wetland in each Antarctic Conservation Biogeographic Region would deserve this status. Here we explored the causes for this omission. Methods: Bibliography and institutional webpages search. Results: Although Antarctic wetlands have been long studied, most authors have not conceptualized them as such, hence misinterpreting some of their defining features, or failing to recognize their ecosystem services (Mataloni and Quintana 2017). Nor does the Protocol on Environmental Protection, in its Annex 5, take into account their uniqueness, particularly as biodiversity hotspots. The Ramsar Convention, on the other hand, requires contracting national parties to make sovereign management decisions on designated areas. Implications: Despite converging objectives, Antarctic governance regime precludes alignment of protection measures with conventions enforced at national level. As a result, Antarctic wetlands go unprotected. Conclusion: Synergies must be sought between ATS and international conservation conventions. Meanwhile, wetlands must be included among the ecosystem types meriting designation as internationally managed ASPAs, and existing ASPAs should identify encompassed wetlands and revise their management plans accordingly.