This season, seven SAEF scientists and staff will journey to the Antarctic Peninsula to complete fieldwork and professional development. They will do so through partnerships with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the Chilean Antarctic Program (INACH) and the private-sector travel provider Noble Caledonia.
Antarctic Peninsula Expeditions
Gentoo penguin colony on the Antarctic Peninsula. Credit: Cassandra Brooks
Adélie penguin chicks. Credit: Steven Chown
A bird on an iceberg. Credit: Steven Chown
Antarctic hair grass (Deschampsia antarctica) is a species native to Antarctica. Credit: Steven Chown
A tourist ship on the Antarctic Peninsula. Credit: Steven Chown
Research Projects
How will climate change affect where Antarctica’s only endemic insect, Belgica Antarctica, is found?
Belgica antarctica is one of only two insect species indigenous to the Antarctic continent. This means it is unusual and plays a vital role in the health and survival of the ecosystems it inhabits. This flightless midge is about 2-6 mm long and is the largest purely land-based animal native to the continent. The larvae and adults have a suite of unusual adaptations for living in the cold, stressful habitats of the Peninsula, including the ability to to survive being frozen in the juvenile stage.
PhD candidate Madison Farrant from Monash University is conducting research to expand our knowledge about the factors that influence where the species is found. During the field expedition, Madison will collect data about its environment, such as soil properties, microclimate, vegetation, and the other species found within the ecosystem. When she returns home, she will use this data to build a model that will enable them to test how different climate change scenarios will likely impact the insect.
Are grasses increasing in abundance in the Western Antarctic Peninsula?
The Antarctic Peninsula is experiencing a greening trend, with vegetation cover increasing tenfold in the past four decades. This has been primarily due to the spread of moss, but scientists are concerned that there could also be an increase in the abundance of grasses across the region, with some evidence showing this is the case already. As the climate warms, this region of Antarctica may become more suitable for some plant species. To support policymakers in conserving these unique ecosystems, it’s essential to understand how plants are responding as the climate warms and visitor numbers increase.
This season, PhD candidate Noémie Sheppard from Monash University will survey sites that were last surveyed for grasses in the 1980s and 1990s. This will enable her to compare how grass abundance has changed over the past three to four decades.
Professional Development Program
February – March 2025
This exciting new initiative will provide two SAEF staff members with a professional development opportunity to visit Antarctica. These staff members, Partnerships Manager Angela Firth and Senior Communications Adviser Anna Quinn will gain first-hand experience of the continent, as well as learn about and experience the preparations, logistics, and decision-making required to undertake safe expeditions to the region. SAEF Director Professor Steven Chown will also join the voyage as part of the team of scientists on board, providing talks to share insights and knowledge with guests about Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and its incredible biodiversity.
