Monitoring Maxwell Bay

In this context and due to the great importance of long-term monitoring programs, especially in areas of rapid climatic changes and with a high risk of danger for the protected assets of the region, another research project is being carried out. Between 2012 and 2018, a comprehensive monitoring of the consequences of local climate changes on the protected assets of the ice-free areas of Maxwell Bay (King George Island, Antarctica) was carried out (Braun et al. 2017External link, 2020External link, 2022External link). The monitoring included the standardized recording of the fauna of sea birds and seals in the Fildes region as well as the expansion of the breeding bird recording in selected areas of Maxwell Bay. For the analysis of long-term trends in bird and seal populations, extensive data from numerous, previously unpublished expedition reports by German scientists from the 1980s and from all available literature were used in addition to our own surveys. On the basis of these data it became clear that the majority of seabird species with regard to their breeding pair numbers depend primarily on natural environmental factors, while others react more strongly to anthropogenic influences. In addition, the documentation of glacier retreat areas of selected areas of Maxwell Bay was continued on the basis of aerial and satellite images with regard to regional climatic development and colonization by fauna and flora.

The continuation of this monitoring takes place in the context of the current project "Terrestrial biological monitoring on the Fildes Peninsula (Maxwell Bay, Antarctic)​". Using various parameters (e.g. breeding success of selected species), local population developments and possible correspondences with regional trends, particularly as a result of climate change, are examined. In addition, the introduction of non-native animal and plant species and the retreat of glaciers are documented. Another aspect is the recording of the distribution and the extent of marine litter and with regard to effects on seabirds in the study area with regard to effects on seabirds in the study area. Furthermore, a future prognosis for the development of the Antarctic biota and for the further development of efficient environmental monitoring will be made.