Antarctic Specially Protected Area - Litchfield Island!

On Friday I showed my favorite field site to Dr. Andrew Titmus: Litchfield Island. And what a trip it was! This stunningly beautiful place host an astonishing number of moss and lichen species. The island is the tallest in the area, its slopes covered by massive peatbanks. The flora is representative of much of the flora that is encountered on the western Antarctic Peninsula. No other island nearby has this floral abundance, and it's easy to see why it was designated an Antarctic Specially Protected Area.

Dr. Titmus is the environmental program manager of the Antarctic Program. He talked to several research teams to learn more about the science conducted in this area, and how this impacts the Antarctic ecosystem. He already had a pretty good idea, because he provides permits under the Antarctic Conservation Act (ACA) after careful assessment of the environmental impact of any research. My permit number for Litchfield Island is ACA 2023-007. The act protects all life (mammals, birds, plants) and the ecosystems they live in. Such an important role to protect this beautiful wilderness. Thank you, Andrew!