Unveiling the terrestrial eukaryote diversity of Antarctica

The main aim of this project is to document the type localities for all terrestrial eukaryotes (plants, animals, fungi) for the Antarctic. Type localities are those localities where the specimens used for an original taxonomic description were collected from. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty specifically indicates protecting these localities. The list is now complete, excepting for new species described after our project concluded - new species descriptions are ongoing in the work being done by science to describe the diversity of Antarctic life. The full list of type localities is still undergoing rigorous checking for some groups, but should be published in 2021, and accessible to the general public at the same time.

Our work has enabled us to unveil extraordinary patterns in the diversity of some Antarctic groups, such as the springtails (Collembola).

While completing this work, we sought to understand where scientists have been on the Antarctic continent. In doing so, we catalogued all places that humans have visited, to the best of existing and accessible knowledge. Doing so, we for the first time show where Antarctica's wilderness areas lie, and where the areas of the continent are that are least likely ever to have been visited by people. Such wilderness and inviolate areas are important for the long-term conservation of the continent, and for its biodiversity, though biodiversity is not well represented in strictly defined wilderness areas. Nonetheless, this work provides an extraordinary opportunity for policymakers to take steps towards the protection of Antarctica's wilderness and inviolate areas.

We have also been involved in a large scenario-based forecasting exercise for the future of Antarctica. We still have time to avert the largest changes. The way to do so is well known. Countries, including Australia, have to meet their promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (largely carbon dioxide), made under the Paris Agreement, and then substantially exceed those promises so that net zero emissions are achieved by 2050 at the very latest.

The main aim of this project is to document the type localities for all terrestrial eukaryotes (plants, animals, fungi) for the Antarctic. Type localities are those localities where the specimens used for an original taxonomic description were collected from. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty specifically indicates protecting these localities. To date we have completed 90% of the work for almost all groups. Those that remain closer to the 50% mark are the very rich groups for the region: the lichens, mites and rotifers. Our work has enabled us to revisit some fundamental biodiversity patterns for the sub-Antarctic, examining how non-native species alter biodiversity patterns. We have also been involved in a large scenario-based forecasting exercise for the future of Antarctica. We still have time to avert the largest changes.

We have commenced review of the available names and dates of description, along with currently recognised species in the taxonomic literature for all Antarctic and sub-Antarctic metazoan species. The data for springtails and insects is complete for the first round as is the data for birds and for mammals. We have also commenced a review of the vascular plants, mosses and lichens. Thus we are in the process of compiling a full list of all terrestrial species for the region.