Abstract

Maddie is a PhD student studying the biodiversity, biogeography and trophic traits of polychaete worms from the Western Antarctic region collected during the BAS led BIOPEARL I and II expeditions. Last year she was one of a group of international scientists to join BAS on the South Orkneys – State of the Antarctic Ecosystem (SO-AntEco) expedition. SO-AntEco aimed to investigate species diversity, assemblage composition, abundance and habitat zonation along the shelf break of the South Orkney Islands, and to map the locations and distribution of all species found that were identified as VME (vulnerable marine ecosystem) taxa. For the last three months Maddie has been working at BAS describing and analysing the SO-AntEco data and evaluating the policy relevant findings of the expedition. These results will be used to contribute information and scientific advice for the CCAMLR South Orkney Islands MPA review and for the development of spatial management in this region more generally. In this seminar Maddie will introduce both her PhD work and some preliminary SO-AntEco findings.