Understanding through Science
Antarctic science has never been more important than it is today as the world tries to understand global warming and change. Australia has pursued scientific research in Antarctica since the 1950s. Today's program has a strong strategic focus on:
Bagging ice cores.
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- high-latitude climate studies
- Southern Ocean sustainability
- environmental protection
The ice covered regions of Antarctica and its surrounding waters give vital information on:
- Antarctic ice contains records of past climate and atmospheric changes
- sea-ice extent and duration is of central significance to the support of marine food webs
- the process of ice formation affects ocean circulation around the globe
The thickness of Antarctica's ice cap tells us about changes to precipitation. The quality of Antarctica's surrounding ocean waters and the atmosphere high above it reflects global change.
Our work in the ocean is underpinned by research in:
- Antarctic ecosystem structure and function
- fisheries by-catch mitigation
The recently instigated Australian Centre for Applied Marine Mammal Science at the AAD gives us a high-profile role in coordinated studies of Australia's cetacean research.
Australia's active membership of the Committee for Environmental Protection of the Antarctic Treaty is supported by a programme of research into site remediation and environmental clean-up.
Australia's strong role in the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, the International Whaling Commission and the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels requires the highest quality of science to provide credibility and accountability.
Research under the ice.
| One hundred and twenty projects are undertaken in the Antarctic, in the sub-Antarctic and in Australia.
Scientists from 28 countries in 176 institutions participate, and about 90 Australian graduate students are associated with the programme.
Australian Antarctic science is directed by the Science Strategy 2004/05-2008/09 developed by the Antarctic Science Advisory Committee and approved by the Australian Government in October 2004. Its four priority programs are:
- Ice, ocean, atmosphere and climate
- Southern Ocean ecosystems
- Adaptation to environmental change
- Impact of human activities in Antarctica
A new Science Strategy, designed to provide scientific support to Government policies, will be developed in 2007 and 2008 to cover a five-year period from the end of 2008/09 season.
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