Environmental Assessment of the McMurdo Dry Valleys: Witness to the Past and Guide to the Future; Colorado State University, May 2016

通过独特的全球伙伴关系，即《南极条约》制度，整个大陆被正式指定为一个自然保护区，专门用于和平与科学。要在这样的环境中访问和操作，就有责任谨慎行事，尽可能减少影响。因此，在南极洲开展业务的科学家、旅游经营者、承包商和管理人员必须定期开会，评估环境状况，并确定今后保持该大陆原始性质的要求。南极洲一个特别容易受到人类影响的地区是麦克默多干谷（MDV）。这一地区是非洲大陆最大的无冰区（无冰区= 4 500平方公里），总面积为22 700平方公里。这里的景观是冰川、山脉、永久冰封的湖泊、短暂的溪流和新颖的土壤生态系统的马赛克。这种环境的全球独特性导致过去十年来科学研究和旅游业水平的提高。鉴于人类存在的增加，出于伦理和科学原因，必须定期评估这些活动的影响。自从正式解决麦克默多干旱山谷（MDV）的环境管理问题以来，已经有17年了。在这17年中，山谷中的研究活动呈指数级增长，在泰勒、赖特、迈尔斯、加伍德、比肯和维多利亚山谷开展了重大的研究活动。在这17年期间，在该地区建立了一个干旱河谷特别管理区和几个新的特别保护区。鉴于自上次MDV环境评估以来相对较长的中断，以及研究活动的指数增长，该奖项将部分资助第四次研讨会，以评估该地区的环境完整性，讨论目前管理战略的成功，并制定一项国际计划向前迈进。研讨会将包括40多名科学家，承包商和环境管理人员，讨论MDV的环境管理和科学现场完整性。讲习班的参加者是经过精心挑选的，以确保性别平衡和所有职业级别的代表性。早期的职业科学家将有机会改变他们在南极洲的工作方式，使他们能够在他们参与塑造的环境中进行研究。来自五个国家的个人将参加，为讲习班提供全球平衡。该研讨会将编写一份报告，为今后十年的千年发展目标环境管理工作奠定基础。

Through the unique global partnership that is the Antarctic Treaty system, the entire continent is formally designated as a natural reserve, devoted to peace and science. To visit, and operate in, an environment like this comes with a responsibility to do so carefully and with as minimal an impact as possible. It is thus imperative that scientists, tour operators, contractors and managers operating in Antarctica convene regularly to assess the state of the environment and delineate requirements for the future that will maintain the pristine nature of the continent. A region of Antarctica that is particularly vulnerable to human impact is the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV). This area is the largest ice-free expanse on the continent (ice free area = 4,500 km2) and encompasses a total area of 22,700 km2. The landscape is a mosaic of glaciers, mountain ranges, permanently ice covered lakes, ephemeral streams and novel soil ecosystems. The global uniqueness of this environment has led to increased levels of scientific research and tourism over the past decade. Given the increase in human presence, it is important to assess routinely the impact of these activities for both ethical and scientific reasons. It has been 17 years since environmental stewardship of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) has been formally addressed. During these 17 years, research activities in the valleys have increased exponentially and major research campaigns have been established in the Taylor, Wright, Miers, Garwood, Beacon and Victoria Valleys. This 17-year period has seen the implementation of a Dry Valleys Specially Managed Area (ASMA) and several new Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) in the region. Given the relatively long hiatus since the last environmental assessment of the MDV, in concert with exponential increases in research activity, this award will partially fund a fourth workshop to assess the environmental integrity of the region, discuss the success of present management strategies, and develop an international plan with which to move forward. The workshop will include more than 40 scientists, contractors and environmental mangers to discuss environmental stewardship and scientific site integrity of the MDV. Workshop participants have been carefully chosen to ensure gender balance and representation from all career levels. The early career scientists will have a chance to change the way they will work in Antarctica, allowing them to conduct research in an environment that they have had a hand in shaping. Individuals from five countries will participate, providing a global balance to the workshop. A report will be produced by this workshop that will set the stage for environmental stewardship in the MDV for the next decade.