A remote island in the southern Atlantic, which is a biodiversity haven, renowned for its rugged landscapes and abundant wildlife. This island is home to a remarkable range of species, many of which thrive in its harsh sub-Antarctic environment. Towering glaciers, dramatic mountain peaks, and extensive coastal ecosystems make South Georgia a crucial breeding ground for millions of seabirds and marine mammals. The island supports some of the largest populations of king penguins, macaroni penguins, and wandering albatrosses, as well as a variety of seals, including southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals.

South Georgia’s surrounding waters are equally rich in marine life. The cold, nutrient-rich seas provide feeding grounds for whales, krill, and numerous fish species, playing a vital role in the Southern Ocean’s marine ecosystems. The island’s unique combination of terrestrial and marine biodiversity has made it a key site for scientific research and conservation efforts.

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

In 2012, the South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands Marine Protected Area (SGSSI-MPA) was established, becoming one of the largest MPAs in the world, covering 1.24 million km² (395,368.61 mi²). Following an environmental review in 2018, the government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands took further steps by fully protecting 23% of its waters. However, the remaining area was left open to industrial fishing, raising concerns about potential disruptions to food availability and the interconnected marine ecosystem. Since then, the intensifying impacts of global warming and the global push for the 30×30 initiative, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and sea by 2030, have increased the urgency for expanded marine protections in these biodiverse waters.

In 2023, the local government conducted a comprehensive assessment of the SGSSI-MPA. Scientists evaluated whether the current conservation measures were sufficient to protect the millions of marine species that inhabit the area. The findings were presented to an independently chaired panel, which would report its recommendations to the government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The government will decide whether to expand the protections further in collaboration with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.

Threats to Biodiversity

Recent studies have identified 12 invasive marine species that could potentially threaten the biodiversity in South Georgia’s waters, posing a serious risk to the native ecosystem. South Georgia also faces natural threats, particularly from climate change, which impacts local wildlife and habitats, along with volcanic activity and ice scouring on the seabed. These challenges are difficult to manage and protect against. Over time, 76 non-native plant species have been introduced to the island, with 41 still present, creating competition with native flora and further endangering the region’s biodiversity.

Capacity and Governance

The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (SGSSI) prioritizes environmental conservation to protect both wildlife and people. In 2012, it established one of the world’s largest Marine Protected Areas (MPA), covering over 1 million km², with no-take zones and strict fishing restrictions. SGSSI’s fisheries are highly regulated and certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), ensuring sustainable practices, particularly in the toothfish fishery, which avoids bycatch of albatrosses.

The government invests around £1 million annually in fisheries management and scientific research, promoting sustainability and preventing illegal fishing. The South Sandwich Islands host a large population of Chinstrap penguins and are subject to ongoing research to monitor the impacts of climate change and natural events like volcanic activity. Strict waste management protocols are in place to prevent pollution, and research is being conducted into the effects of plastic waste arriving from outside the area.

In 2014, SGSSI extended the Convention on Biological Diversity to the islands and developed a National Biodiversity Action Plan, which includes the designation of Terrestrial Protected Areas. The government also launched an initiative to protect albatross populations and improve international fishing practices. A £7.5 million rodent eradication project, completed in 2015, has led to the resurgence of the South Georgia pipit. The government continues to invest in biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of invasive species.

Future Trends

The South Georgia Biodiversity Plan is focused on conserving and restoring native biodiversity by creating protected areas that cover a total of 3,800 square kilometers. Alongside terrestrial conservation, the plan also addresses the management of marine biodiversity through a comprehensive environmental framework aimed at protecting the island’s diverse marine ecosystems. The government dedicates approximately £1 million each year to fisheries management and scientific research, reinforcing a precautionary approach to ecosystem management and safeguarding biodiversity.

Biodiversity

South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands are a wildlife sanctuary, hosting around five million seals from four different species and 65 million breeding birds across 30 species. Among these is the South Georgia pipit, the world’s only sub-Antarctic songbird and an endemic species. Of the 30 bird species breeding in South Georgia, 11 are classified as threatened or near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The islands are also home to seven of the species listed under the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels (ACAP).

The surrounding waters provide crucial habitat for migrating whales and support a diverse range of marine benthic fauna. These waters are also rich in fish species, many of which are commercially valuable, and play a vital role in sustaining Antarctic krill populations, a key component of the Southern Ocean food chain.