Alien plant species are fast finding their way on Antactica by “hitchhiking” on scientists and tourist. A new nternational study found that this poses a threat to the "delicate frozen ecosystem" in the continent.

Dr Dana Bergstrom, Australian Antarctic Division Terrestrial Ecologist,said they found an average of just below 10 seeds in the clothing and equipment of each person surveyed.

“With more than 33,000 tourists and 7,000 scientists visiting the continent in 2007–2008, the potential for these seeds to establish themselves in the fragile, ice-free areas is substantial,” Dr Bergstrom said.

Back in 2007–2008 ,researchers from different countries,sampled, identified and mapped the seeds carried into Antarctica by around 1000 visitors.

Many of the seed species identified were from cold climates, which makes "it even more likely the seeds they were carrying could propagate in the warmer areas of Antarctica.”

The study also identified hotspots where invasive weeds were most likely to thrive now and into the future. Dr Bergstrom noted that invasive alien species is one of the primary causes behind biodiversity loss, and is one of the most significant conservation threats to Antarctica.

"[I]t’s important to prevent introductions of weeds and pests through simple biosecurity measures such as taking clean or new clothing and equipment to Antarctica, and closely monitoring hot spots for incursions and eradicating them immediately,” Dr Bergstrom said.

The Australian Antarctic program already has training and procedures in place on cleaning clothing and equipment for any person travelling to Antarctica. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal this week, is the first continent-wide assessment of invasive species in Antarctica.

Source: Australia Antarctica Division