Non-native microbial introductions: what risk to Antarctic ecosystems?

Antarctica's biodiversity and its intrinsic values are potentially at risk from the introduction of non-native species, derived from a range of sources including human activities. Whilst controls on introducing plants and invertebrates are now in place, limited attention has so far been given to microorganisms that comprise the majority of the Antarctic terrestrial biomass, and are highly dispersive. Information deficits and likely impacts in a warming climate indicate that this should be given a higher research priority, particularly in ice-free areas where the range of microbial habitats for colonisation is higher.

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