01444nas a2200169 4500008004100000245007800041210006900119260004000188300001400228520083000242100002601072700002001098700002401118700001801142700002101160856009301181 2025 eng d00aAntarctic mosaic: Mixing methods and metaphors in the McMurdo Dry Valleys0 aAntarctic mosaic Mixing methods and metaphors in the McMurdo Dry aCambridge, UKbOpen Book Publishers a355 - 3763 a

Different methods use different metaphors, and the way we write can reflect our underlying philosophical assumptions, positionalities, and values. To mix methods, it follows, is also in a very tangible sense to mix metaphors. In this chapter, we use the metaphor of a mosaic, as well as several others, to help us reflect on our experiences of working together on a decade-long historical research project about the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research site in East Antarctica. We describe our process of ‘going with the flow’, using whichever methods we thought might help produce insights. We also describe the challenges and benefits of collaboratively writing together and offer several practical takeaways that may be useful for others conducting interdisciplinary mixed-methods research.

1 aChignell, Stephen, M.1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aLave, Rebecca1 aLane, Stuart, N. uhttps://www.openbookpublishers.com/books/10.11647/obp.0418/chapters/10.11647/obp.0418.1802098nas a2200181 4500008004100000022001400041245014900055210006900204260001200273490000700285520143900292100002101731700002201752700002501774700002001799700002601819856007101845 2024 eng d a1523-043000aAn analysis of McMurdo Dry Valleys’ lotic habitats within Antarctica’s protected area network and addressing gaps in biodiversity protection0 aanalysis of McMurdo Dry Valleys lotic habitats within Antarctica c08/20240 v563 a

The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), Antarctica’s largest ice-free region, hosts unique terrestrial ecosystems, with biodiversity concentrated in the aquatic environments and surrounding soils. Despite being a scientific hub, the creation of the MDV Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) made significant steps toward protecting the environment from degradation from human usage. However, with sustained human presence within the MDV, increasing human activity across Antarctica, and aquatic ecosystems subject to environmental change, the effectiveness of current protections for biodiversity conservation requires evaluation. This study employs spatial analysis of MDV protected areas, streams, lakes, research camps, and tourist sites to assess the robustness of current protections, identify underprotected areas, and outline steps for future protection. Within the MDV ASMA, five smaller Antarctic Specially Protected Areas (ASPAs) exist. Only two ASPAs contain streams, and only one with a full hydrologic catchment. With roughly 6% of the lotic habitat area protected by ASPAs, the MDV fall short of global goals for freshwater protection. Past successful management of the MDV shows the effectiveness of collaboration and early action, and amongst calls for ASPA network expansion and restructuring, the MDV has the opportunity to be at the forefront again and increase the protection of Antarctic aquatic ecosystems.

1 aWright, Anna, T.1 aBrooks, Cassandra1 aGooseff, Michael, N.1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aChignell, Stephen, M. uhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15230430.2024.237517602675nas a2200241 4500008004100000245018700041210006900228260001200297300000900309490000700318520179100325653003202116653002602148653002302174653003502197653001902232653002802251100002602279700002002305700002002325700002402345856006402369 2022 eng d00aPatterns of interdisciplinary collaboration resemble biogeochemical relationships in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica: A historical social network analysis of science, 1907–20160 aPatterns of interdisciplinary collaboration resemble biogeochemi c04/2022 a80370 v413 a

Co-authorship networks can provide key insights into the production of scientific knowledge. This is particularly interesting in Antarctica, where most human activity relates to scientific research. Bibliometric studies of Antarctic science have provided a useful understanding of international and interdisciplinary collaboration, yet most research has focused on broad-scale analyses over recent time periods. Here, we take advantage of a ‘Goldilocks’ opportunity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, an internationally important region of Antarctica and the largest ice-free region on the continent. The McMurdo Dry Valleys have attracted continuous and diverse scientific activity since 1958. It is a geographically confined region with limited access, making it possible to evaluate the influence of specific events and individuals. We trace the history of environmental science in this region using bibliometrics and social network analysis. Our results show a marked shift in focus from the geosciences to the biosciences, which mirrors wider trends in the history of science. Collaboration among individuals and academic disciplines increased through time, and the most productive scientists in the network are also the most interdisciplinary. Patterns of collaboration among disciplines resemble the biogeochemical relationships among respective landscape features, raising interesting questions about the role of the material environment in the development of scientific networks in the region, and the dynamic interaction with socio-cultural and political factors. Our focused, historical approach adds nuance to broad-scale bibliometric studies and could be applied to understanding the dynamics of scientific research in other regions of Antarctica and elsewhere.

10acritical physical geography10aenvironmental history10ahistory of science10ascience and technology studies10ascientometrics10avisual network analysis1 aChignell, Stephen, M.1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aGullett, Poppie1 aFountain, Andrew, G uhttps://polarresearch.net/index.php/polar/article/view/803701817nas a2200169 4500008004100000245017100041210006900212260001200281300001300293490000700306520116600313100002601479700002001505700002001525700002401545856007801569 2021 eng d00aResearch sites get closer to field camps over time: Informing environmental management through a geospatial analysis of science in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 aResearch sites get closer to field camps over time Informing env c11/2021 ae02579500 v163 a

As in many parts of the world, the management of environmental science research in Antarctica relies on cost-benefit analysis of negative environmental impact versus positive scientific gain. Several studies have examined the environmental impact of Antarctic field camps, but very little work looks at how the placement of these camps influences scientific research. In this study, we integrate bibliometrics, geospatial analysis, and historical research to understand the relationship between field camp placement and scientific production in the McMurdo Dry Valleys of East Antarctica. Our analysis of the scientific corpus from 1907–2016 shows that, on average, research sites have become less dispersed and closer to field camps over time. Scientific output does not necessarily correspond to the number of field camps, and constructing a field camp does not always lead to a subsequent increase in research in the local area. Our results underscore the need to consider the complex historical and spatial relationships between field camps and research sites in environmental management decision-making in Antarctica and other protected areas.

1 aChignell, Stephen, M.1 aMyers, Madeline1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aFountain, Andrew, G uhttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.025795002447nas a2200181 4500008004100000245007900041210006900120260001200189490000700201520187300208100002002081700002602101700002002127700002402147700001902171700002102190856005402211 2020 eng d00aA digital archive of human activity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica0 adigital archive of human activity in the McMurdo Dry Valleys Ant c05/20200 v123 a

Over the last half century, the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of East Antarctica have become a globally important site for scientific research and environmental monitoring. Historical data can make important contributions to current research activities and environmental management in Antarctica but tend to be widely scattered and difficult to access. We address this need in the MDV by compiling over 5000 historical photographs, sketches, maps, oral interviews, publications, and other archival resources into an online digital archive. The data have been digitized and georeferenced using a standardized metadata structure, which enables intuitive searches and data discovery via an online interface. The ultimate aim of the archive is to create as comprehensive as possible a record of human activity in the MDV to support ongoing research, management, and conservation efforts. This is a valuable tool for scientists seeking to understand the dynamics of change in lakes, glaciers, and other physical systems, as well as humanistic inquiry into the history of the Southern Continent. In addition to providing benchmarks for understanding change over time, the data can help target field sampling for studies working under the assumption of a pristine landscape by enabling researchers to identify the date and extent of past human activities. The full database is accessible via a web browser-based interface hosted by the McMurdo Long Term Ecological Research site: http://mcmurdohistory.lternet.edu/ (last access: 5 May 2020). The complete metadata data for all resources in the database are also available at the Environmental Data Initiative: https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/6744cb28a544fda827805db123d36557 (Howkins et al., 2019).

1 aHowkins, Adrian1 aChignell, Stephen, M.1 aGullett, Poppie1 aFountain, Andrew, G1 aBrett, Melissa1 aPreciado, Evelin uhttps://www.earth-syst-sci-data.net/12/1117/2020/