Researchers call for greater protection for Deception Island’s beaches

The beaches of Deception Island are home to surprisingly diverse communities of life. A new study shows that protecting individual, particularly species-rich areas is not enough; the researchers recommend several spatially separate protected areas.

Deception Island in the South Shetland Islands is known for its volcanic landscape and geothermally heated coasts. However, comparatively little is known to date about the wildlife in the intertidal zones of its beaches.

A team led by Triana Revanales, Mariano Lastra and Iván Franco Rodil therefore studied seven beaches within Port Foster over the course of five Antarctic summers. The findings were published on 17 September 2026 in the journal *Biodiversity and Conservation.

The researchers identified marked differences between the communities on the individual beaches. The key factor, therefore, is not simply which site is home to a particularly large number of species. Different beaches each contribute in their own way to the island’s overall biodiversity.

To date, these sediment-rich intertidal zones have been largely overlooked in Deception Island’s existing Specially Protected Areas. The authors therefore recommend placing several spatially separate coastal sections under protection.

This is made all the more important by the high levels of Antarctic tourism. Places such as Whalers Bay, Pendulum Cove and Telefon Bay are visited regularly. Walking on the beaches, ship traffic, anchoring and digging holes for geothermal baths can put a strain on these sensitive habitats. Added to this is the risk of introducing non-native species via clothing or equipment.

The researchers therefore propose not only additional protected areas but also designated visitor zones, clearly defined walking routes and stricter biosecurity measures. The unassuming volcanic beaches of Deception Island could thus be of far greater ecological significance than previously thought.

Rosamaria Kubny, PolarJournal