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The Prince Edward Islands: Southern Ocean Oasis†

The Prince Edward Islands: Southern Ocean Oasis† INTRODUCTION In the austral summer of 1947-1948, South Africa annexed the sub-Antarctic islands, Marion and Prince Edward, mostly for strategic reasons that had been the topic of considerable discussion between General J.C. Smuts and the U.R government. With the stroke of a pen, some formidable logistics, and a great deal of initial secrecy, Operation Snoektown effectively added a whole series of ecosystems to South Africa's already rich natural heritage. South African scientists and their colleagues abroad immediately recognized the opportunities for research into the functioning of Southern Ocean ma- rine and terrestrial systems, and scientific work followed soon after the estab- lishment of the weather station on the east coast of Marion Island. Since that time, an immense fund of knowledge concerning the islands and the surrounding oceanic ecosystems has accrued. However, as with all human endeavours, this knowledge has come at some cost to the natural heritage of the islands, mostly as a consequence of the introduction of sev- eral destructive alien species. Although sealers interested in both oil and fur contributed several exotic species early on, including house mice and the grass, Poa annua, the list of introduced species has grown substantially since the annexation of http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Ocean Yearbook Online Brill

The Prince Edward Islands: Southern Ocean Oasis†

Ocean Yearbook Online , Volume 17 (1): 32 – Jan 1, 2003
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References (7)

Publisher
Brill
Copyright
Copyright © Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands
eISSN
2211-6001
DOI
10.1163/221160003X00140
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

INTRODUCTION In the austral summer of 1947-1948, South Africa annexed the sub-Antarctic islands, Marion and Prince Edward, mostly for strategic reasons that had been the topic of considerable discussion between General J.C. Smuts and the U.R government. With the stroke of a pen, some formidable logistics, and a great deal of initial secrecy, Operation Snoektown effectively added a whole series of ecosystems to South Africa's already rich natural heritage. South African scientists and their colleagues abroad immediately recognized the opportunities for research into the functioning of Southern Ocean ma- rine and terrestrial systems, and scientific work followed soon after the estab- lishment of the weather station on the east coast of Marion Island. Since that time, an immense fund of knowledge concerning the islands and the surrounding oceanic ecosystems has accrued. However, as with all human endeavours, this knowledge has come at some cost to the natural heritage of the islands, mostly as a consequence of the introduction of sev- eral destructive alien species. Although sealers interested in both oil and fur contributed several exotic species early on, including house mice and the grass, Poa annua, the list of introduced species has grown substantially since the annexation of

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Ocean Yearbook Online – Brill

Published: Jan 1, 2003

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