Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission
SAEF scientists examine vegetation, invertebrates and marine biodiversity
Eleven of the scientists on board are from Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF).
The SAEF team will survey the island’s vegetation, including cushion and cabbage plants, tussock grasses and mosses. They will also assess the island’s cold-adapted invertebrates, including weevils, springtails, spiders, and mites, and the octopus, urchins, sea stars and other species that live across the seafloor.
Researchers may uncover species that are new to science.
“Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI) are some of the most remote and untouched places on Earth, lying thousands of kilometres from any major human population,” SAEF’s lead scientist on the HIMI expedition, Laura Phillips, who’s based at Monash University, said.
“These islands offer a unique opportunity to study an almost pristine wilderness shaped by climate and environmental factors largely in the absence of direct human pressures.”
The ship has two helicopters on board, three inflatable research boats, a larger science boat known as the science tender, 15 drones, remote underwater vehicles (ROVs) and hundreds of tonnes of cargo for Casey.
While at Heard Island, scientists will work across 24-hour shifts, with terrestrial science conducted during the day and marine science at night (in December, Heard Island has up to 18 hours of daylight).
“While we’re spending a lot of time looking at seals, penguins and birds, it’ll be the humans we really need to watch!” Mr Knoff said.
“It’s a big program of work so we’ll carefully manage the fatigue of the group and ensure there is enough rest to make sure everyone remains focussed and safe.
“It can be hard to sleep on the ship in rough seas and those staying ashore will be living in tents in one of the most inhospitable places on earth so making sure they come back to the ship every few days for a warm meal and shower will also be key.”
The main camps will be at the eastern and western end of Heard Island, housing up to a dozen people at a time.
Smaller camps will be set up at various beaches so science groups can do more focussed wildlife surveys. Some walking parties will carry packs and take samples along the way.
“This is probably the most complex voyage the Nuyina has undertaken in terms of projects and equipment, so it’ll be important to manage the expectations of everyone on board and get our priorities right,” Mr Knoff said.
RSV Nuyina spent ten days at Heard Island in October and is now returning for a longer campaign. Photo: Simon Payne