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Station
Camp
Shelter
Laboratory
Station
Camp
Shelter
Laboratory

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)