Edited by Rachel Duncan 4th Edition ISBN 0-907649-91-2 London ...

• Litter search completed before leaving the campsite;
• Periodic litter surveys at long-term base camp;
• Record of fuel spills;
• Location of waste water or sewage pits.
Planning 17
A useful side project to any expedition is to measure inputs and outputs. Weights
of food, fuel and equipment before and after the expedition give an indication of what has
been consumed along the way. Such surveys often show that too much, or the wrong type
of packaging was used, resulting in a waste problem.
Ensure that the local authorities are informed about any monitoring results and the
location of your campsites. Many authorities hold databases of old expedition campsites
and activities in order to take into account any impact on future scientific research and to
monitor the use and recovery of areas.
2.10 The polar tundra
The polar tundra is particularly susceptible to damage from expedition campsites and
activities. Tracks made by the passage of a single vehicle are still clearly visible on the
tundra surface some 30 years after they were made. In order to minimise and avoid
damaging the tundra environment, adhere to common sense guidelines as set out in
numerous existing publications (see bibliography below).
Do protect and preserve the environment for the benefit of those who follow.
Bibliography:
BEACH, H. et al, (1994) Polar People: self-determination and development. Publication
5. Minority Rights Group, London: 147–205.
BRITISH MOUNTAINEERING COUNCIL has published guidelines on sustainable
camping and expeditioning. These are available on-line at www.thebmc.co.uk
CONSERVATION OF ARCTIC FAUNA & FLORA (CAFF) (1994). The state of
protected areas in the circumpolar Arctic: Habitat conservation report No. 1.
CAFF, Norway and Canada.
CAFF (1996). Proposed protected areas in the circumpolar Arctic: Habitat conservation
report No. 2. CAFF, Norway and Canada.
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, Polar Regions Section (1995) Guide to
environmental impact assessment of activities in Antarctica. London.
GLASSON, J., THERIVEL, R. and CHADWICK, A. (1995). Introduction to
environmental impact assessment. UCL Press, London.
MEYER, Kathleen. (1994) How to Shit in the Woods: An Environmentally Sound
Approach to a Lost Art.Ten Speed Press, ISBN: 0898156270
PROKOSCH, P. (1996) CAFF Report on proposed protected areas in the circumpolar
Arctic. WWF Arctic Bulletin no.3: 4–5.
WEST, M.H., and MAXTED, A.P. (2000) An assessment of tundra degradation resulting
from the presence of a field-camp in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. Polar Record 36
(198): 203-210.
YOUNG EXLORERS TRUST (2002) Environmental Responsibility for Expeditions A
guide to good practice. Edited by Mark Smith. British Ecological Society & Young
Explorers’ Trust.