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International Day for Biological Diversity - Antarctic Dry Valleys: the antithesis of a barren desert
22/5/2013
The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Recent ground-breaking research on the Antarctic Continent which combines traditional taxonomy with DNA technology has discovered that Antarctic communities are more biologically diverse than previously thought. Last season, supported by Antarctica New Zealand, a team of Waikato University scientists and students from the International Centre for Terrestrial Antarctic Research (ICTAR), led by Professor Craig Cary, returned to the Dry Valleys and spent several weeks collecting samples as part of the New Zealand Terrestrial Antarctic Biocomplexity Survey (NZTABS).
"Historically, the Dry Valleys were thought to be a low-diversity system, mainly as on the surface it looks like a barren desert. However it’s actually the absolute antithesis of that. It has a rich biodiversity" explains Professor Cary. Full release.
Hannibal Hayes: NZ's foremost chopper rescue pilot
8/5/2013
Reporter Samantha Hayes talks with helicopter pilot Richard 'Hannibal' Hayes, who has made around 3000 rescues. Richard Hayes was recently awarded a contract by Antarctica New Zealand to work in Antarctica supporting the operations and logistics of the New Zealand Antarctic Science Programme and support scientists in the field. Link to video.
'What I do': Scott Base Winter Leader live chat
6/5/2013
Ever wondered what it's like to work in Antarctica? Now's your chance to find out. NZ Herald online is running a live chat "What I do" series every Tuesday from 12pm-1pm and first up is Antarctica New Zealand's Becky Goodsell. Becky, who is running New Zealand's Scott Base over the winter, will be chatting live from Antarctica from 12pm on Tuesday 6th May to answer your questions about what it's like to live and work on the ice continent after its plunge into 24/7 darkness. Link to story and review the chat.
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Antarctica New Zealand is the Crown Entity responsible for developing, managing and executing New Zealand Government activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, in particular the Ross Dependency. Antarctica New Zealand manages Scott Base, New Zealand’s Antarctic research station. It maintains New Zealand’s operational presence in the Ross Dependency for the benefit of present and future generations of New Zealanders. Key activities include supporting scientific research, conserving the intrinsic values of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean and raising public awareness (in part through arts, media and youth programmes) of the international significance of the continent.
Scott Base Webcam
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The Scott Base camera looks across to the sea ice runway located to the right of Scott Base.
For more Antarctica New Zealand webcams, click here. |
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