First South African Biological survey in Droonning Maud land, Antarctica

Abstract

South African biological research inland in continental Antarctica was initiated during the 1987-88 summer season when a two-man team from the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, undertook a preliminary biological survey of Robertskollen, a group of nunataks in the northern Ahlmannryggen, western Dronning Maud Land. Robertskollen had been selected as a potential site for a biological research programme planned to focus on ecosystem structure and functioning on nunataks, with emphasis on the effects of ornithogenic products. Snow Petrels (Pagodroma nivea) were known to breed at some of the Robertskollen nunataks.