Biology
Climate affects biota - biota affects climate, can we achieve balance and conserve Antarctic biodiversity?
The Antarctic marine alga Corethron
magnified many hundreds of times
 |
Plants, animals and microbes (bacteria, viruses, protists and fungi) in the Antarctic are of global importance. The Biology program conducts research in three areas: Antarctic biodiversity and threats to its conservation; effects of global climate change on Antarctic biota, and; the role of Antarctic biota in global biogeochemical cycles. Biota of the Antarctic region have evolved to survive, and often thrive, on the fringes of the harshest continent on the planet, and in the ocean which surrounds it. Extreme conditions have led to remarkable biogeochemical adaptations, the study of which is leading to the discovery of useful (biogeo)chemicals and genes. Many Antarctic organisms are living at the limit of survival and are indicators of global environmental change.
The Biology program has four sub programs:
Themes of the Biology program
Antarctic ecosystems
These programs have strong links with several collaborative institutions, both within Australia and overseas, that together comprise the greater ANARE biology program.
Metadata for Biology are held at the Australian Antarctic Data Centre
For more information, email: bio@aad.gov.au
