Grass is not always greener: the management and governance of non-native plants in Antarctica
(2025) In IIIEE Master Thesis IMEM01 20251The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics
- Abstract
- Non-native plants are a growing problem in Antarctica. By encroaching on native plants’ habitats, they risk leaving the last frontier of authentic wilderness irreversibly altered. As the climate continues to change and more people visit Antarctica, non-native plants’ spread and impacts are expected to become more severe. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty prohibits introducing non-native species and mandates their removal if introduced, though in practice, this can take years due to the complexities of multi-level governance (MLG). This thesis thus seeks to shed light on the drivers and barriers of non-native plant management in Antarctica. It further explores the role of different stakeholders in it, and... (More)
- Non-native plants are a growing problem in Antarctica. By encroaching on native plants’ habitats, they risk leaving the last frontier of authentic wilderness irreversibly altered. As the climate continues to change and more people visit Antarctica, non-native plants’ spread and impacts are expected to become more severe. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty prohibits introducing non-native species and mandates their removal if introduced, though in practice, this can take years due to the complexities of multi-level governance (MLG). This thesis thus seeks to shed light on the drivers and barriers of non-native plant management in Antarctica. It further explores the role of different stakeholders in it, and lastly, investigates how the Antarctic governance regime can be adapted to non-native plant incursions. Building on MLG theory, these research questions are answered through fifteen semi-structured interviews. A two-phased stakeholder mapping process was carried out, complementing the high-level insights from MLG theory. Using reflexive thematic analysis, this thesis identifies three broad categories of enablers and barriers. Enablers include an MLG regime fit for purpose; it is one where a group of dedicated and skilled individuals play a deciding role; and third, appropriately implemented environmental management measures. Barriers, conversely, include vast differences in countries’ levels of engagement with the topic; skills and capacity constraints; and shortcomings in policy implementation and in between- and within-stakeholder communication. The stakeholder mapping process revealed a diverse range of actors involved in Antarctic non-native plant management, with local-level actors playing the most active and influential roles. Proposed solutions include the setting up of an informal information exchange forum and a capacity-building training framework. In the end, however, it remains up to the Parties to the Antarctic Treaty themselves to determine whether they are willing—and able—to act proactively rather than reactively in the face of non-native plant incursions. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9204482
- author
- Gomola, Ondrej LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- IMEM01 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- non-native plant management, Antarctica, Antarctic Treaty System, governance
- publication/series
- IIIEE Master Thesis
- report number
- 2025:19
- ISSN
- 1401-9191
- language
- English
- id
- 9204482
- date added to LUP
- 2025-06-24 08:50:15
- date last changed
- 2025-06-24 08:50:15
@misc{9204482,
abstract = {{Non-native plants are a growing problem in Antarctica. By encroaching on native plants’ habitats, they risk leaving the last frontier of authentic wilderness irreversibly altered. As the climate continues to change and more people visit Antarctica, non-native plants’ spread and impacts are expected to become more severe. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty prohibits introducing non-native species and mandates their removal if introduced, though in practice, this can take years due to the complexities of multi-level governance (MLG). This thesis thus seeks to shed light on the drivers and barriers of non-native plant management in Antarctica. It further explores the role of different stakeholders in it, and lastly, investigates how the Antarctic governance regime can be adapted to non-native plant incursions. Building on MLG theory, these research questions are answered through fifteen semi-structured interviews. A two-phased stakeholder mapping process was carried out, complementing the high-level insights from MLG theory. Using reflexive thematic analysis, this thesis identifies three broad categories of enablers and barriers. Enablers include an MLG regime fit for purpose; it is one where a group of dedicated and skilled individuals play a deciding role; and third, appropriately implemented environmental management measures. Barriers, conversely, include vast differences in countries’ levels of engagement with the topic; skills and capacity constraints; and shortcomings in policy implementation and in between- and within-stakeholder communication. The stakeholder mapping process revealed a diverse range of actors involved in Antarctic non-native plant management, with local-level actors playing the most active and influential roles. Proposed solutions include the setting up of an informal information exchange forum and a capacity-building training framework. In the end, however, it remains up to the Parties to the Antarctic Treaty themselves to determine whether they are willing—and able—to act proactively rather than reactively in the face of non-native plant incursions.}},
author = {{Gomola, Ondrej}},
issn = {{1401-9191}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
series = {{IIIEE Master Thesis}},
title = {{Grass is not always greener: the management and governance of non-native plants in Antarctica}},
year = {{2025}},
}