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Antactic research carried out by Universidad Austral de Chile. (Photo: UACh)
UACh receives USD 6.4 million for Antarctic research project
(CHILE, 8/27/2015)
Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh) and its associated organizations will receive a total of CLP 4,500 million (USD 6.4 million) for the development of frontier research in one of the priority areas set by the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (Conicyt) as the study of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic zone.
The news that Conicyt selected UACh and the multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Humberto Gonzalez as one of the two winners of the Sixth Research Fund Competition in Priority Areas, Fondap 2015 was received with joy and satisfaction.
To the scientist, Fondap award reaffirms the commitment shown by UACh with the far south of Chile, assuming a responsibility towards this part of the planet that is aimed to become a worldwide research hotspot.
The Fondap Centre, called Dynamic Research Centre of Marine Ecosystems of High Latitudes (IDEAL), is an institution where more than 15 scientists of UACh participate together with a number of other renowned national and international academic experts, who are associated with prestigious institutions that will work collaboratively.
IDEAL Centre’s proposal is to carry out transdisciplinary, synergistic and highly integrated studies, which bring together different issues like advanced scientific and social research, excellence in human resource training, and with strong commitments to social, economic and environmental variables policies for Chile.
Alongside UACh, which is the sponsoring institution, those playing a key role are the University of Concepción (UdeC) and CEQUA Center in Punta Arenas. Other collaborators are the Patagonian Ecosystems Research Centre (CIEP) in Coyhaique and the Center for Advanced Studies in Arid Zones (CEAZA) in Coquimbo. And as international partners those participating are Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) in Bremerhaven, Germany. The Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH) will provide logistical support.
IDEAL Development Plan identifies two strategic geographical areas: south of Tierra del Fuego and the Antarctic Peninsula. These areas constitute regions facing significant threats due to their vulnerability under a global warming scenario that is exacerbated and offering anthropogenic impact.
Within the two geographic areas four closely related issues can be identified that can only be addressed successfully through a broad, interdisciplinary approach.
The first issue has to do with study the connectivity between the Antarctic Peninsula and southern Tierra del Fuego, researching the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), which becomes an impassable barrier for plankton and benthos, thereby generating local adaptive responses in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic areas.
The second issue has to do with the modulation of biological interactions triggered by environmental stress in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic systems.
The third line will address the research on global climate change in different species, communities and marine ecosystems.
And as a fourth point, the centre also will take care of the social dimension and the various ecosystem services provided by the coastal environment to the surrounding communities (fisheries, aquaculture, biofuels, climate regulation, nutrient cycling, recreational opportunities, tourism, research and educational, aesthetic, spiritual and cultural benefits.
The Fondap awarded by IDEAL Center has a working period of five years, during which what is suggested as first steps is the strong link with the Regional Government of Magallanes, the University of Magallanes and the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH).
"For us local, national and international networks, as well as the community, business and political ones are very important to carry out the various objectives, but this also implies a number of associated challenges," expressed Dr. Gonzalez.
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