On this day 10 years ago I ran in the White Continent marathon on King George Island, Antarctica. This was just before the team and I completed fieldwork in the area.

Centimetre‐Scale Micro‐Topography Structures Biologically Relevant Microclimates in Antarctic Moss Beds Aim Polar and alpine plants live at the edge of their physiological limits. Thus, relatively small changes in climate can have disproportionate effects on biological and ecological processes. Antarc...

#AntarcticaDay #research publication 🥳

Today in GEB, fine-scale data and ultra-high res modelling show that tiny hills and valleys in moss beds create as much thermal variation as a mountain range, with implications for long term health, survival and heatwave impacts.

doi.org/10.1111/geb....

Thanks for inviting me to come along to speak about Antarctic moss and climate! It was great fun.

More interesting presentations from UOW climate research experts at our Pint of Climate Change Science event yesterday for Global Climate Change Week 🌱🌏

Thank you Dr. Melinda Waterman, Dr. Jeff Kelleway, and Dr. Steven Beltrame

#ClimateWeek2025 @drmelwaterman.bsky.social

Congratulations to Dr Nathan Jankowski and Dr Melinda Waterman who were awarded the Environmental Futures Publication of the Month Award this morning 👏

Come along to the EF member catch up held monthly at the White Cedar Courtyard

@inthedarklab.bsky.social @drmelwaterman.bsky.social

Research Bias in Long‐Term Monitoring of Antarctic Nearshore Marine and Terrestrial Biota Antarctic wildlife is under pressure from environmental changes and human activity, but how well is Antarctica's coastal biota being monitored? While over half of the long-term monitoring studies spa....

Antarctica is under pressure from environmental changes and human activity, but how well is its coastal wildlife being monitored?

The team incl. @antarcticmoss.bsky.social & I sifted through the literature to find out.

Here is what we found (out now)
doi.org/10.1111/gcb....

@arcsaef.bsky.social

Moss cushions on rock platforms. Some covered in lichens.

Different lichen species on exposed rocks

Day 12 #SAEFgoesSouth
12-01-2025 Part 2
Cormorant Island

@antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I were in awe at the diversity of #mosses and #lichens during an unplanned visit to Cormorant Island in the evening.

The #glacier behind Palmer Station has retreated at least 450 m in the last 60 years

Day 12 #SAEFgoesSouth
12-01-2025 Part 1
Palmer Station, Anvers Island

An early start at Palmer Station to hunt for #moss along newly exposed land due to rapid glacial retreat. The #glacier behind Palmer Station has retreated at least 450 m in the last 60 years.

Day 11 #SAEFgoesSouth
11-01-2025
Biscoe Point, Anvers Island, #Antarctica

Evening trip ashore. @antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I were surprised how close #moss was growing to #penguin subcolonies and to the sea.
Back for late dinner at 2200.

Sleeping quarters for passengers on the DAP Betanzos Ship - 2 bunk beds, 4 lockers & a small ensuite bathroom.

Dining room - we were separated into 2 groups for mealtimes. We made friends with the two friendly ship stewards (not pictured here)

The lounge room where we would have seminars, meetings and movies

Day 10 #SAEFgoesSouth
10-01-2025
On the DAP Betanzos ship at sea, returning to Propsect Pt to the north.

The team (@antarcticmoss.bsky.social, Gustavo, Diego and I) has adapted to life on the Betanzos - sharing confined spaces for sleeping, eating and working. Plus we've made friends with the crew!

@drmelwaterman.bsky.social has started a blog about our current research trip to the Antarctic peninsula. We have had a really successful time on ships, the Betanzos and the Karpuj and @Escudero station where we are are being hosted by the instituto Antartico Chileno.

#SAEFgoSouth

Diego Salinas from Universidad de Santiago de Chile sampling moss on small plateaus of a rocky outcrop

Iceberg scattered coastline on a sunny day at Carvajal Station on Adelaide Island

Elephant seals sunbaking next to Carvajal Station

Day 9 #SAEFgoesSouth
09-01-2025
Carvajal Station, SW tip of Adelaide Island, #Antarctica

Spent a sunny morning ashore at the Chilean Carvajal station - collected #moss samples, watched Elephant #seals and gazed at the #iceberg scattered coastline.

Lagotellerie Island - small but steep

Some of the steep slopes of Lagotellerie Island, Antarctica

Lush, green moss beds growing on slopes

Day 8 - #SAEFgoesSouth
08-01-2025
Lat 67.883°S, Long 67.399°W
Privileged to see the wonder of the steep slopes of Lagotellerie Island. Many covered in lush green #moss beds.
Sampled moss as long as 11 cm.

An iceberg off the coast of Adelaide Island

Day 7 - #SAEFgoesSouth
07-01-2025
Crossed the #Antarctic circle (66.56°S) on our way south to Marguerite Bay! Watched as we passed icebergs off the coast of Adelaide Island.
Also getting used to life on a ship.

Ronny Chieng explained climate change on the Daily Show a year ago and it remains as relevant as ever!

Bon voyage Martina Sanderson-Smith and @ecologee.bsky.social I hope the Drake is kind to you!

If you pass King George Island let @drmelwaterman.bsky.social & I know and we can wave from Escudero!

Thanks @antarcticmoss.bsky.social! This one has been very special 😀

My new book is OUT!! Buy a copy, you'll sleep better: bit.ly/OOYM

A very rocky moss collection site, only accessible by zodiac boat

Moss sampling in action

Day 6 - #SAEFgoesSouth
06-01-2025
Lat 66.028°S, Long 65.338°W
4 h trip ashore to a quiet island near Prospect Pt and...we found little cushions of #moss. Our first samples for this trip!
The slushy snow definitely made it difficult to sample and keep warm.

Photo of ship track so far down the Peninsula.

DAP Betanzos crew and passengers enjoying the spectacular views of the Lemaire Channel

Part of the Lemaire Channel, Antarctica

At the end of the Lemaire Channel. Whale seen in the distance to the left of the large iceberg

Day 5 - #SAEFgoesSouth
05-01-2025
On Betanzos ship sailing SW down the #Antarctic Peninsula through beautiful #icy landscapes of the Lemaire Channel and saw skuas, cormorants, penguins and a whale.

Due to arrive 'Base J' @0300 tomorrow, where we will hunt for moss.

Base O'Higgins (Chile), #Antarctica on a beautiful sunny day. No living moss found in this area = no moss sample.

Day 4 - #SAEFgoesSouth
04-01-2025
Moss team getting our sea legs. Short trip ashore to Base O'Higgins on the #Antarctic Peninsula. Very sunny day, ~0°C, 15 kt wind. No living moss found near the station to sample. Lots of green algae though.

Checked in with all our gear and ready to go to the gate at Punta Arenas - board in the background showing scheduled flights to Antarctica

Sharon, Gustavo and Diego about to board DAP940 flight to Antarctica 📸 Melinda Waterman

Day 3 - #SAEFgoesSouth
03-01-2025
Flight South confirmed! We boarded DAP940 @1900, destination King George Island, #Antarctica.
We (and our gear) made it aboard the DAP Betanzos ship by ~2200. After some welcome snacks, we found our cabins and went to sleep. Next stop Base O'Higgins.

Our team of four in line to collect clothing kit issued by INACH

Mel, Sharon & Gustavo at INACH with some cardboard penguin friends 📸 Diego Salinas

Gustavo & Mel (Diego in background) at the beach in Punta Arenas 📸 Sharon Robinson

Day 2 - #SAEFgoesSouth
02-01-2025
Sunny day with a cool breeze in Punta Arenas, Chile

Collected additional clothing kit from Chilean Antarctic Program (INACH), met other members of the team, and waited for confirmation for flight south [planned for today but delayed due to weather conditions]

Mel & Sharon at Sydney airport

NYE in Santiago with Mel, Sharon & Gustavo

Days 0 & 1 - #SAEFgoesSouth
31-12-24 & 01-01-2025

After a long flight from Sydney to Santiago, @antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I celebrated NYE in Santiago.
Then we flew to Punta Arenas, Chile at 0600. Checked in to hotel, wandered the quiet town and waited for info about our flight to #Antarctica

Mel collecting moss in Antarctica (moss in foreground and an icy landscape in the background)

Having a 'mossome' field trip sampling moss in the #Antarctica peninsula region with @antarcticmoss.bsky.social, Gustavo Zuñiga & Diego Salinas.
Thanks to INACH and @arcsaef.bsky.social

Summaries of our daily reports to come! #SAEFGoesSouth

📸 Pablo Espinoza (INACH)

Abstract Art
**Hey, get a signed print of one of my comics: bit.ly/mind-print

In Punta Arenas about to board a DAP flight for Antarctica with @drmelwaterman.bsky.social Gustavo Zuniga, Diego Salinas to join the Betanzos & sail to the Peninsula. Thanks to INACH and @arcsaef.bsky.social
#SAEFGoesSouth

Mel and Sharon at Sydney airport about to depart for Santiago, Chile

Mel and Sharon at Santiago airport with kit

@antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I had a very long NYE as we flew from Sydney to Santiago on our way to #Antarctica
#SAEFGoesSouth

The usual prep for #Antarctic fieldwork (day before NYE): baking #ANZAC biscuits

Moss shoot decorated for Christmas

#Merry Christmoss everyone!

Who needs a #Christmas tree🎄 when you have a #moss shoot?