Before the ice were the rivers
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 5 June 2024
Researchers discovered a massive ancient river system that crossed Antarctica 34 million years ago, revealing the continent’s ice-free, temperate past and reshaping understanding of its geological and climate history.
Keywords: Antarctica, ancient river system, Eocene, West Antarctic Rift, climate history, Transantarctic Mountains, Polarstern expedition
How is the dramatic decline in sea ice affecting biodiversity?
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 10 June 2024
The EU project WOBEC, led by the Alfred Wegener Institute, aims to monitor long-term biodiversity changes in the Weddell Sea, supporting efforts to establish a Marine Protected Area as climate change threatens this unique polar ecosystem.
Keywords: Weddell Sea, biodiversity monitoring, Marine Protected Area, WOBEC, Alfred Wegener Institute, Southern Ocean
Oldest marine plant discovered with the help of a new genetic clock
Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI)
Published: 10 June 2024
Researchers used a new genetic clock to identify a 1,400-year-old Baltic Sea seagrass clone—now the oldest known marine plant. This breakthrough aids conservation by revealing how clonal species persist in changing environments.
Keywords: seagrass, clonal species, genetic clock, Baltic Sea, marine biodiversity, conservation genetics, Zostera marina
