Biodiversity and Climate Change in Antarctica

Rosenberg Institute Seminar Series

Antarctica is considered a “natural laboratory” because it is relatively undisturbed by anthropogenic forces, and because it has been designated by international treaty as a unique, continent-scale scientific commons. This gives scientists the opportunity to investigate how the biosphere has functioned for millions of years. Antarctica is also on the front lines of climate change, and ongoing long-term research programs provide dramatic perspective on how ecosystems are currently changing rapidly. Over the past 23 years, our research has explored the functioning of an intact ocean foodweb, the vulnerability of this to fishing, and approaches to establishing marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean.

Speaker: Dr. Grant Ballard, Point Blue Conservation Science