ASMA 6: Larsemann Hills

Antarctic Specially Managed Area No. 6 -- The Larsemann Hills are an ice-free coastal area in East Antarctica where four nations maintain research stations in close proximity.

Location

Princess Elizabeth Land, East Antarctica, on the Ingrid Christensen Coast. The Larsemann Hills are a series of low, rocky peninsulas and islands on the coast of Prydz Bay.

Managing and Supporting Countries

• Australia -- Law Base (seasonal)
• China -- Zhongshan Station (year-round)
• India -- Bharati Station (year-round)
• Russia -- Progress Station (year-round)

Protection Level

Managed/Coordinated. The management plan coordinates activities between four national programs operating in an area of approximately 50 square kilometers.

Protection Type

Land, freshwater lakes, and coastal marine approaches.

Purpose

The Larsemann Hills are one of the most densely occupied areas in East Antarctica. Four nations maintain stations within a few kilometers of each other, creating significant potential for environmental impact and operational conflict. The ASMA designation ensures coordinated management of logistics, waste, vehicle traffic, and environmental monitoring.

Environmental Significance

• Freshwater Lakes: Over 150 freshwater lakes of varying sizes, including several with unique microbial communities
• Geology: The exposed bedrock provides important geological records of Gondwana supercontinent breakup
• Moss and Lichen: Significant communities of Antarctic moss and lichen on sheltered rock surfaces
• Breeding Birds: Snow petrels and Wilson's storm petrels breed in the rocky terrain

Code of Conduct

• Vehicle routes are designated to prevent damage to moss beds and lake margins
• Fuel storage and handling follows agreed protocols to prevent spills
• Freshwater lakes are protected from contamination by station runoff
• Helicopter flight paths avoid breeding bird colonies
• Joint environmental monitoring programs track cumulative impacts from four stations

Birdland's Position

The Larsemann Hills ASMA demonstrates both the promise and the challenge of multi-national cooperation in Birdland. The Guins government appreciates the coordination framework but has raised concerns about the cumulative environmental impact of four research stations in a relatively small ice-free area. Birdland advocates for joint environmental audits and shared infrastructure to reduce the total footprint.