Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) offer a unique opportunity for scientific research due to the presence of permanent glaciers, large colonies of wildlife, complex flora and largely unmodified environment and ecosystems.
Research in the HIMI Marine Reserve contributes to a better understanding of the environment, how it is changing and why.
It supports the Australian Government’s management obligations and contributes to a greater understanding of the global impacts of climate change on biodiversity.
A 2024 report Conservation values in the marine environment surrounding Heard Island and the McDonald Islands summarises the latest research in the region.
The Australian Antarctic program science database contain more information about research activity at HIMI.