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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. 

Abstract. Over the last half century, the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV)of East Antarctica have become a globally important site for scientificresearch and environmental monitoring. Historical data can make importantcontributions to current research activities and environmental management inAntarctica but tend to be widely scattered and difficult to access. Weaddress this need in the MDV by compiling over 5000 historical photographs,sketches, maps, oral interviews, publications, and other archival resourcesinto an online digital archive. The data have been digitized andgeoreferenced using a standardized metadata structure, which enablesintuitive searches and data discovery via an online interface. The ultimateaim of the archive is to create as comprehensive as possible a record ofhuman activity in the MDV to support ongoing research, management, andconservation efforts. This is a valuable tool for scientists seeking tounderstand the dynamics of change in lakes, glaciers, and other physicalsystems, as well as humanistic inquiry into the history of the SouthernContinent. In addition to providing benchmarks for understanding change overtime, the data can help target field sampling for studies working under theassumption of a pristine landscape by enabling researchers to identify thedate and extent of past human activities. The full database is accessiblevia a web browser-based interface hosted by the McMurdo Long Term EcologicalResearch site: http://mcmurdohistory.lternet.edu/ (last access: 5 May 2020). The completemetadata data for all resources in the database are also available at theEnvironmental Data Initiative: https://doi.org/10.6073/pasta/6744cb28a544fda827805db123d36557(Howkins et al., 2019).