Today, January 28, marks the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica by Russian sailors. A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS (IPEE RAS) and World Fund for Nature Russia invite scientists to discuss priorities of the conservation of the unique marine ecosystems of the region, which is home to half of all marine mammals in the world.
Antarctica is a great example of how people were able to unite to preserve nature, peace and science. In the XIX-XX centuries people almost destroyed most of the populations of Antarctic whales and seals, but thanks to the ban on the hunting of animals, their numbers began to increase rapidly. Antarctica has remained one of the few regions on the planet where human influence is almost invisible, however, unique marine ecosystems are faced with new anthropogenic threats, the main one of which is global climate change.
On May 13-15 in Moscow World Fund for Nature Russia together with IPEE RAS will organize an international scientific conference “The Future of Antarctic Marine Ecosystems”. Experts from different countries who study marine Antarctic ecosystems will gather at one table to exchange experiences and contribute to the development of a scientific base for decision-making on environmental management in the Antarctic region. The conference participants will discuss the current state of marine Antarctic ecosystems, existing and emerging threats to the biodiversity of the region, identify key problems of the marine ecosystems of the Antarctic and outline possible solutions. Topical issues include climate change, the status and management of fish and krill stocks, the emergence of invasive species, and much more. World Fund for Nature Russia hopes that the results of the conference will help create a scientific base on the basis of which future decisions on the fate of Antarctica will be made.
“A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution RAS is one of the main platforms for discussing a variety of environmental problems that are important both for Russia and for the whole world, emphasizes Academician Vyacheslav Rozhnov, Director of the IPEE RAS, Co-Chair of the Conference. “Holding such meetings allows us to not just better understand the state of wildlife on our planet, but also how to solve emerging problems with the joint efforts of scientists from different countries.”
“For seven years now I have been returning to the Antarctic every summer, and every time I am surprised. I find again and again that this place is much grander, cleaner and larger than I remembered from my last trip”, says Boris Soloviev, one of the organizers of the conference, the main coordinator of World Fund for Nature projects in Russia. - This is a different planet where many of our ambitions, goals and values seem completely insignificant. Here you realize how little we know about this place, and you understand that we need the Antarctic exactly as it is now - with millions of whales, seals, penguins, albatrosses who live here freely, like thousands of years ago. "
Registration for the International Scientific Conference on the Study and Conservation of Antarctic Marine Ecosystems is open until February 15.