Editorial: Tracking marine megafauna for conservation and marine spatial planning
Abstract
Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity faces multiple threats, from invasive species to climate
change. Yet no large-scale assessments of threat management strategies exist. Applying a
structured participatory approach, we demonstrate that existing conservation efforts are
insufficient in a changing world, estimating that 65% (at best 37%, at worst 97%) of native
terrestrial taxa and land-associated seabirds are likely to decline by 2100 under current tra-
jectories. Emperor penguins are identified as the most vulnerable taxon, followed by other
seabirds and dry soil nematodes. We find that implementing 10 key threat management
strategies in parallel, at an estimated present-day equivalent annual cost of US$23 million, could benefit up to 84% of Antarctic taxa. Climate change is identified as the most pervasive
threat to Antarctic biodiversity and influencing global policy to effectively limit climate change
is the most beneficial conservation strategy. However, minimising impacts of human activi-
ties and improved planning and management of new infrastructure projects are cost-effec-
tive and will help to minimise regional threats. Simultaneous global and regional efforts are
critical to secure Antarctic biodiversity for future generations.