Alien Invaders Threaten Antarctic Fringes

Alien Invaders Threaten Antarctic Fringes

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The fringes of Antarctica are being invaded by alien plants and tiny animals, scientists have found. Researchers scoured the clothes and boots of tourists and scientists visiting the continent and found that most were carrying plant seeds.

The research team says the plants are likely to spread as the climate warms, estimating that about 70,000 seeds arrive on Antarctica each year. There is no legal obligation to clean up accidentally introduced alien species under the Antarctic Treaty, but this team of scientists believes there is a moral obligation to do so, and to block new arrivals as far as possible.