From Australian Oceans Data Network
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Informing environmental management with landscape mapping

Created 12/02/2026

Updated 12/02/2026

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Under the Antarctic Treaty system, Australia is committed to a range of environmental protection measures. Some, such as Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs), are supported by management plans, but these often lack scientific evidence to support robust management decisions. Without the protection of snow and ice, rocky ice-free regions in Antarctica are easily damaged and are slow to recover. We will present examples from the Vestfold Hills, East Antarctica, to show how surficial geology maps in ice-free areas can support evidence-based management of Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) and polar landscapes.

ASPA No. 143 Marine Plain is valued for its “outstanding fossil fauna and rare geological features” (ATCM XXXVI 2013). We used regional geological mapping and field observations to derive recommended access points to the ASPA and reduce the likelihood of damage to fossil fauna. Our results are being used to inform revision of the ASPA management plan which will be considered at the next Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.

We also identified a fragile fossil polychaete reef near Deep Lake in the Vestfold Hills which is vulnerable to accidental damage from trampling. Our results show how physical environmental datasets can support informed management of scientific, wilderness, and aesthetic values.

References:

ATCM XXXIV, 2013. Measure 9. Antarctic Specially Protected Area No 143 (Marine Plain, Mule Peninsula, Vestfold Hills, Princess Elizabeth Land): Revised Management Plan

Presented at the 2024 Australian Antarctic Research Conference

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Additional Info

Field Value
Title Informing environmental management with landscape mapping
Language eng
Licence Not Specified
Landing Page https://data.gov.au/data/dataset/57ee8970-6734-455f-a8a0-97614bc8b9e9
Contact Point
Australian Ocean Data Network
clientservices@ga.gov.au
Reference Period 11/11/2025
Geospatial Coverage
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
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Data Portal Australian Oceans Data Network

Data Source

This dataset was originally found on Australian Oceans Data Network "Informing environmental management with landscape mapping". Please visit the source to access the original metadata of the dataset:
https://catalogue.aodn.org.au/geonetwork/srv/eng/csw/dataset/informing-environmental-management-with-landscape-mapping6