A team of scientists led by CU Boulder has identified 30 new areas critical for conserving biodiversity in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica.
A team of scientists led by CU Boulder has identified 30 new areas critical for conserving biodiversity in the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica. In a study published Aug. 15 in the journal Conservation Biology, the researchers warn that without greater protection to limit human activities in these areas, native wildlife could face significant population declines.
“Many animals are only found in the Southern Ocean, and they all play an important role in its ecosystem,” said Cassandra Brooks, the paper’s senior author and associate professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at CU Boulder. “While Antarctica and the Southern Ocean feel really far away, they, and the life within them, are critical to the functioning of Earth systems.”
The Southern Ocean is home to many beloved animals like Adélie penguins, Weddell seals and humpback whales. Its remote location and harsh conditions—including frigid temperatures and extensive sea ice—have largely protected biodiversity in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean from human activities.
Read More: University of Colorado Boulder
Photo Credit: BDougherty via Pixabay
