Australia has pursued scientific research in Antarctica since the 1950s. Today's modern Antarctic research program is critical to our understanding of global change. The ice covered regions of Antarctica and its surrounding waters provide vital information on:
1. Past climate and atmospheric changes – such as from Antarctic ice core and ocean sediment records
2. sea-ice extent and duration, which is critical to the support of marine food webs.
3. The process of ice formation, which affects ocean circulation around the globe.
Australian Antarctic Science Program over the next 10 years plans to focus efforts within four thematic areas:
Climate Processes and Change
Terrestrial and near shore Ecosystems: Environmental Change and Conservation
Southern Ocean Ecosystems: Environmental Change and ConservationFrontier Science