Seeds of Antarctic imbalance planted

According of Cape Towns, Wednesday, March 7, 2012, page 6

Sydney: In the pristine frozen continent of Antarctica, scientists fear an alien invasion- not from outer space, but carried in people's pockets and bags.
Seeds and plants accidentally brought to Antartica by tourists and scientists may introduce alien plant species which could threaten the survival of native plants in the delicate ecosystem.
Invasive alien plants are among the most significant conservation threat to Antartica, especially as climate change warms the ice continent, said a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Journal, published yesterday.
The study vaccumed travellers' pockets, trouser and sleeve cuffs, shoes and inside their bags, and used tweezers to pry out seeds. On average each person checked had 10 seeds in clothing and equipment.
"The one of alien seed that had gained a foothold is annual winter grass, which grows well in seal and penguim areas and could prapagate among slow-growing mosses around those colonies".