According to a study, at the current rate of warming, the area of ice-free land in the Antarctic peninsula, in the west, is set to rise by 300% in the next century. That means invasive species will have more land and more water (thanks to melting ice) species of fly will face-off against invaders. The exact effect is difficult to predict precisely, say scientists.
Antarctica is home to species that can gather in greater densities than those in temperate or tropical climates, said Convey, pointing to microscopic arthropods known as Collembola, a million of which can squeeze into a square meter.
The thousands of researchers and 50,000 tourists who visit the remote continent every year risk upsetting this balance by bringing plant and insect life with them.
One type of grass, Poa annua, has already managed to carve out a beachhead on some islands, and humans have brought with them two species of fly.
Some species do manage to arrive by natural means from the tip of South America 1,000 km (600 miles) away, but they do not manage to establish themselves permanently.
The thousands of researchers and 50,000 tourists who visit the remote continent every year risk upsetting this balance by bringing plant and insect life with them.
One type of grass, Poa annua, has already managed to carve out a beachhead on some islands, and humans have brought with them two species of fly.
Some species do manage to arrive by natural means from the tip of South America 1,000 km (600 miles) away, but they do not manage to establish themselves permanently.
Picture Credit : Google