Pioneering Sustainable Research Practices in Fragile Polar Ecosystems: Lessons from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Krista F. Myers; Emily Reynebeau; Byron J. Adams; Adrian Howkins; Mark Salvatore; John E. Barrett

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-82857-7_33

Pioneering Sustainable Research Practices in Fragile Polar Ecosystems: Lessons from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Krista F. Myers
, Emily Reynebeau
, Byron J. Adams
, Adrian Howkins
, Mark Salvatore
, John E. Barrett

Astronomy and Planetary Sciences

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

Studying ecosystem responses to climate change is a major focus of research in the McMurdo Dry Valley region of Antarctica. However, the research itself contributes to climate warming through the carbon emissions these activities produce. As one of the most remote terrestrial research field sites, and the most southerly of the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) network, conducting research in the McMurdo Dry Valleys requires intense resource investments. Between nearly 20,000 miles of round-trip plane travel, helicopter trips to remote field sites and camps, fuel to power camps and science equipment, waste generated at field camps and labs, and shipping of equipment and samples to and from the continent—the carbon footprint of conducting research in Antarctica is significant.

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	The Palgrave Handbook of Practical Sustainability
Publisher	Springer Science+Business Media
Pages	635-663
Number of pages	29
ISBN (Electronic)	9783031828577
ISBN (Print)	9783031828560
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-82857-7_33
State	Published - Jan 1 2025

Keywords

Biodiversity
Carbon emissions
Climate change
Ecological stewardship
Ecosystem services
Environmental impact
Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)
Polar ecosystems
Resource management
Scientific fieldwork
Sustainability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Social Sciences
General Earth and Planetary Sciences
General Environmental Science

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10.1007/978-3-031-82857-7_33

Cite this

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title = "Pioneering Sustainable Research Practices in Fragile Polar Ecosystems: Lessons from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica",

abstract = "Studying ecosystem responses to climate change is a major focus of research in the McMurdo Dry Valley region of Antarctica. However, the research itself contributes to climate warming through the carbon emissions these activities produce. As one of the most remote terrestrial research field sites, and the most southerly of the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) network, conducting research in the McMurdo Dry Valleys requires intense resource investments. Between nearly 20,000 miles of round-trip plane travel, helicopter trips to remote field sites and camps, fuel to power camps and science equipment, waste generated at field camps and labs, and shipping of equipment and samples to and from the continent—the carbon footprint of conducting research in Antarctica is significant.",

keywords = "Biodiversity, Carbon emissions, Climate change, Ecological stewardship, Ecosystem services, Environmental impact, Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER), Polar ecosystems, Resource management, Scientific fieldwork, Sustainability",

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doi = "10.1007/978-3-031-82857-7\_33",

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T2 - Lessons from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

AU - Myers, Krista F.

AU - Reynebeau, Emily

AU - Adams, Byron J.

AU - Howkins, Adrian

AU - Salvatore, Mark

AU - Barrett, John E.

PY - 2025/1/1

Y1 - 2025/1/1

N2 - Studying ecosystem responses to climate change is a major focus of research in the McMurdo Dry Valley region of Antarctica. However, the research itself contributes to climate warming through the carbon emissions these activities produce. As one of the most remote terrestrial research field sites, and the most southerly of the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) network, conducting research in the McMurdo Dry Valleys requires intense resource investments. Between nearly 20,000 miles of round-trip plane travel, helicopter trips to remote field sites and camps, fuel to power camps and science equipment, waste generated at field camps and labs, and shipping of equipment and samples to and from the continent—the carbon footprint of conducting research in Antarctica is significant.

AB - Studying ecosystem responses to climate change is a major focus of research in the McMurdo Dry Valley region of Antarctica. However, the research itself contributes to climate warming through the carbon emissions these activities produce. As one of the most remote terrestrial research field sites, and the most southerly of the Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) network, conducting research in the McMurdo Dry Valleys requires intense resource investments. Between nearly 20,000 miles of round-trip plane travel, helicopter trips to remote field sites and camps, fuel to power camps and science equipment, waste generated at field camps and labs, and shipping of equipment and samples to and from the continent—the carbon footprint of conducting research in Antarctica is significant.

KW - Biodiversity

KW - Carbon emissions

KW - Climate change

KW - Ecological stewardship

KW - Ecosystem services

KW - Environmental impact

KW - Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER)

KW - Polar ecosystems

KW - Resource management

KW - Scientific fieldwork

KW - Sustainability

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UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105023615502#tab=citedBy

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-031-82857-7_33

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M3 - Chapter

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SN - 9783031828560

SP - 635

EP - 663

BT - The Palgrave Handbook of Practical Sustainability

PB - Springer Science+Business Media

ER -

Pioneering Sustainable Research Practices in Fragile Polar Ecosystems: Lessons from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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