THE NEED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING IN ANTARCTICA - BASE-LINES, ENVIRONMENTAL-IMPACT ASSESSMENTS, ACCIDENTS AND FOOTPRINTS

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (1991 ) requires the environmental monitoring of human activities carried ou t in Antarctica. The objective of such monitoring is to correct enviro nmental information which can be used by decision-makers to help preve nt or minimise environmental impact. Applied monitoring, driven by pra ctical management needs, is a relatively new field of inquiry for most Antarctic scientists. This paper examines the background to environme ntal monitoring in Antarctica, the design of monitoring programmes, th e application of monitoring results to environmental management and fu ture research needs. In particular, it highlights the urgent need for international collaboration to validate data, effectively utilise scar ce resources and devise standard monitoring protocols for wide applica tion amongst the Treaty countries.