










Background
International Field Camp Peninsula Byers | |
Antarctic | |
Open | |
Camp | |
Spain | |
None | |
2001 | |
Seasonal |
Introduction
International Field Camp Peninsula Byers, Unidad de Tecnología Marina, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas | |
International Field Camp Peninsula Byers is a camp located on the South Beaches of Byers Península, Livingston Island, South Shetland Islands. | |
Exceptional diversity of terrestrial flora and fauna. It is the most significant limnological site in the South Shetland Islands. Area extremely sensitive to human impact. Is the largest ice-free area in the South Shetland Islands. | |
The peninsula has exceptional historical interest, containing the greatest concentration of 19th century historical sites in Antarctica, such as the remains of refuges, contemporary artefacts, and shipwrecks of early nineteenth century sealing expeditions. The camp was installed to support the scientific research in the area during short periods of time. Due to the increasing interest in the area, the camp is still operative but can be easily dismantled when required. It is maintained by the personnel of Juan Carlos I station who keep the camp in a good condition year by year. The camp consists in two fibre glass “melon huts” each of 6m x 2m in size, one set up for scientific research and the other for domestic activities. The camp is open to all the Parties. | |
Limnology, human impact, ecosystem, geology, coastal science, meteorology, lichen physiology, permafrost, microbiology, palaeontology and archaeology. | |
It is an Antarctic Specially Protected Area so the entry in the area is prohibited except in accordance with a permit issued by an appropiate national authority and only for scientific purporses or management purposes. | |
The main access is by ship or helicopter. Parties should liase with Spain, Spanish Polar Committee, to co-ordinate access to the melon huts. |
Operator
Comité Polar Español | |
Government | |
Unidad de Tecnología Marina |
Data Source
Partner Institution
No |
Location
CO2503 | |
62° 39.8263' 0'' S | |
61° 5.9662' 0'' W | |
Antarctic Peninsula | |
G - Antarctic Peninsula offshore island geologic | |
3 North-west Antarctic Peninsula | |
10 | |
0 | |
180 | |
960 | |
990 | |
100 | |
30 | |
Ice-free ground |
Climate
Sporadic | |
Maritime Antarctica | |
Snow and Rain | |
800 | |
26 | |
180 | |
N | |
01/01/2014 to 31/12/2014 | |
-2.5 | |
0.9 | |
1.2 | |
0.2 | |
-2 | |
-3.1 | |
-5.5 | |
-6.4 | |
-6.2 | |
-4.6 | |
-3.5 | |
-2.1 | |
-0.4 | |
5.1 | |
-15.8 | |
January | |
December | |
January; February; March; April |
Features
Clear air zone; Lake; Melt streams; Seal colonies | |
Archaeological and geological |
Disciplines
Climate studies; Ecology; Entomology and parasitology; Environmental sciences; Geology; Geomorphology; Human impacts; Limnology; Microbiology; Paleontology | |
Human impact, invasive species |
Human Activities
Yes | |
The area has been very well preserved from human impact | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
Yes | |
Yes |
Infrastructure
CO2503 | |
32 | |
16 | |
None | |
Basic area as general lab | |
16 | |
0 | |
no | |
no | |
Fossil fuel | |
220 | |
24 | |
no |
Staff Capacity
2 | |
10 | |
0 | |
0 | |
12 | |
0 |
Scientific Equipment
None | |
None |
Medical Facilities
No | |
0 | |
Non-medical trained person | |
0 | |
Basic | |
990 | |
2 | |
0 | |
30 | |
100 | |
First aid boxBoots, gloves, helmet, winter clothes, survival suit for navigation, sunglasses, sunblock, gps and walkie talkie for outside activities. | |
No | |
No |
Vehicles
None | |
None |
Workshop facilities
Communications
VHF |
Access
Air; Sea |
Aircraft landing facilities
0 | |
No |
Transport and freight
Helicopter; Ship | |
0 | |
January; February; March; November; December | |
None | |
January; February; March; November; December |
Access To The Facility
Pictures
![]() 1. Byers camp overview |
![]() Byers camp laboratory (Credits: A. Justel) |
![]() Byers_camp meteorological station (Credits: A. Justel) |
![]() Byers camp scientific research (Credits: A. Justel) |
![]() Byers camp bathroom |
Byers camp blizzard |
![]() Byers camp general view |
![]() Byers camp habitability hut |
![]() Byers camp laboratory hut |
![]() Byers camp notice board on hut |
![]() Byers camp outdoor lab (Credits: A. Justel) |
![]() Byers camp scientist working (Credits: A.Justel) |
![]() Byers camp sleeping tent |
![]() Byers camp streams (Credits: A. Justel) |