ABSTRACT
Of particular significance in the conservation of the South Polar region is the nature of the environment itself. Because of the harshness of the climate, the usual fragility of an ecosystem is exaggerated. The severe cold requires special adaptations of the flora and fauna, and specialization becomes disadvantageous to an organism if the environment changes. As Antarctica is a special case, one other point should be noted. In most environments, the introduction of human activity alters the environment radically, and humans must choose between their own interests and conservation. In the case of conservation, the initial discussions in Canberra were hampered by the suddenness of the Meeting. As provided in the Treaty, this Meeting was set for two months after the agreement entered into force. This resulted in somewhat hurried preparation of positions and occasionally in needlessly long debates. Following that, a long debate ensued over a joint Chilean-British call for a convention on Antarctic conservation.
