Recreational nature management as a special form of economic development of Antarctica

DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-3-31-645-655

View or download the article (Rus)

About the Authors

Tatiana M. Krasovskaya

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: krasovsktex@yandex.ru

Lev E. Lukyanov

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Geography,
1, Leninskie gory, Moscow, 119991, Russia,
E-mail: lev.lykyanov@yandex.ru

Abstract

In accordance with the International Treaty of 1959, Antarctica was assigned the role of a scientific testing ground. Increasing resource depletion, geopolitical ambitions, an increase in the number of scientific polar stations, development of their transport infrastructure, and a rapidly increasing interest in polar tourism have led to the formation of a new environmental management structure. However, there is not enough research in this area. Characteristics of the modern recreational nature management structure is given. Its closest correspondence to the accepted international status of Antarctica is justified. It is shown that some areas of recreational nature management are already forming habitats and continue to expand. Some areas of recreational nature management are already forming habitats and continue to expand. In the first quarter of the 21st century, the following directions of tourism activity were the most significant in recreational nature management: ecological (sightseeing) tourism, sports tourism (skiing and hiking, sailing, etc.), scientific tourism (research work at scientific stations). Recreational nature management areas are most actively developing on the Antarctic Peninsula. The development of recreational nature management, however, already has negative consequences associated with violations of the established rules for tourists visiting Antarctica: movement of ecological trails (degradation of vegetation), disturbing animals (too close proximity and noise), leaving debris, graffiti on the walls of polar stations. Development of recreational nature management in Antarctica, coping with the existing environmental regulations, may be considered as an acceptable option for “adaptive” economic development of Antarctica, in which broad international cooperation is possible. Generalization of the collected data on the development of tourism in Antarctica made it possible mapping of its centers and areas which form recreational nature management territories. Preservation of the ecologically adapted status by recreational nature management will allow it to consider territories of its development as a regional ecological framework during the further economic development of Antarctica.

Keywords

Antarctica, recreation resources, nature management areas

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For citation: Krasovskaya T.M., Lukyanov L.E. Recreational nature management as a special form of economic development of Antarctica. InterCarto. InterGIS. Moscow: MSU, Faculty of Geography, 2025. V. 31. Part 3. P. 645–655. DOI: 10.35595/2414-9179-2025-3-31-645-655 (in Russian)