NATIONAL WILDERNESS RED INDEX
Published by the Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd. 30/09/94
Level 2, 332 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.
Ph (02) 9261 2400; Fax (02) 9261 2144.
Name:
ANTARCTICA
Nominated by:
Not recorded
Location:
The Australian Antarctic Territory extends from 45 degrees east
to 160 degrees east, excluding a section between 136 degrees
east and 142 degrees east which is claimed by France. The
Australian Antarctic Territory includes all islands south of 60
degrees.
Size
For size and tenure information contact the Colong Foundation.
DESCRIPTION
The Antarctic continent forms the larges wilderness area in the
world. The Australian Antarctic Territory takes up a sizeable
portion of the continent. The Antarctic continent is covered by
a vast ice cap which extends over the ocean. Only a few
mountain peaks rise above the ice and snow cover, although some
ice-free areas do exist, such as the Vestfold Hills near Davis
Station [1]. Only two species of flowering plants exist on the
Antarctic Continent. There are, however, many species of
lichens and mosses present [2]. No land vertebrates exist on
the Antarctic continent, however there are large colonies of
marine mammals and an enormous number of birds. Seven major
families of birds are represented. The Antarctic waters support
diverse life forms from the tiney crustacean, the Antarctic
krill, to the large whales [3].
ENDANGERED SPECIES
LAND USE HISTORY
CONSERVATION HISTORY
THREATS
A number of scientific research stations are sited within the
Australian Antarctic Territory. In recent years, many of these
stations have been upgraded, making them a permanent, although
very slight, intrusion into the wilderness. Long term threats
to the wilderness qualities of Antarctica are posed by
exploitation of living resources and tourism [4].
CONTACTS
Pengiun? No contacts are recorded from that area.
ENDNOTES
1 Prineas, P., Lembit, R., Fisher, N., 1986, "Australia's
Wilderness An Inventory".
2 Prineas, 1986.
3 Prineas, 1986.
4 Prineas, 1986.
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