Worries heighten Antarctic focus

Antarctica is coming under an increasing global focus. Not only is evidence growing of its potential worldwide impact on climate change, but it is also showing evidence of some of the fastest climate changes itself. And its ecosystems, which comprise some remarkable species, are turning out to be increasingly complex and fragile. It is perhaps no surprise that researchers and, more controversially, tourists are moving in. A race seems to be growing to become the leading research community in Antarctica. " Antarctica's ice, rocks and living material contain a treasure trove of information on Earth's history and the evolution of life, " says the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), the UK's main research effort in the region. " Although geographically remote, it affects the whole planet through its influence on the climate system and sea level. " With BAS scientists' identification of the ozone hole, its research record is impressive and it now seeks to achieve pole position. It has committed itself " to become, by 2012, the leading international centre making use of the exceptional importance of the Antarctic and the surrounding Southern Ocean to achieve new insights into key global phenomena and scientific fundamentals. " But, other countries are ramping up their efforts, including Germany (see p. R181). And Australia News focus announced at the end of last year its first successful landing of an Airbus on an ice runway constructed just 55 km from its Casey Research Station. Such a feat means that Australian researchers can reach the continent in just a few hours, as comfortably as any international air passenger, making huge time savings on their normal sea journeys. And tourists are flocking in too. The short Antarctic summer is now coming rapidly to a close seeing an end to this season's tourist influx, and also many of the research projects, until next year. Antartica is governed by a Treaty system that sets aside the continent and surrounding ocean as a nature reserve devoted to peace and science. There are currently 45 signatory countries to the treaty. While scientific research is still the primary motivation The threat of climate change on the crucial but little-known Antarctic ecosystem is drawing increasing numbers of researchers, and tourists, to the continent. In flight: Australian researchers arrive in Antarctica by Airbus landing on a new ice runway, greatly increasing access to the continent.