Alien plant threatens Antarctic Ecosystem

Researchers reported there are "aliens" who invaded ecosystems in the Antarctic region. Alien in question is a kind of alien plants and small animals that have not been identified.

According to researchers, foreign plants brought in by tourists and scientists visiting Antarctica as well as threatening the survival of native trees, especially on the balance of the ecosystem in the Antarctic region. Thus was launched Internationalbusinesstimes, Wednesday (07/03/2012).

"People who carry a lot of seed or seed, is really a big threat," said Dana Bergstrom of the Australian Antarctic Division.

During the period 2007 to 2008, the researchers surveyed 1000 immigrants and assess what plants and seeds brought to the Antarctic region.

According to Bergstrom, the negative impact that may result when we bring in alien plant, in addition to damaging the ecosystem, there will be a loss of biodiversity in the Antarctic region.

"When we bring in something (plants or small animals) than to the path we've been through, we will gain a competitive species. While plants and animals there are not competitive, so there is an opportunity to lose precious biodiversity on the continent of Antarctica," he added.

Many other islands in the surrounding area have undergone sub-Antarctic ecosystem changes resulting from the foreign plant. Scientists fear that the Antarctic continent will experience the same thing.

Antarctica is not just a threat. Deception Island, about 100km northwest of the Antarctic peninsula, has been inhabited by two species of grass and two springtails (small animals) that have not been identified.

The researchers insist that immediate action should be taken to address the growing number of foreign seeds in the region of Antarctica.