The Ant-ICON Scientific Research Programme aims to answer fundamental science questions (as identified by the SCAR Horizon Scan and emerging issues), relating to the conservation and management of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. It will focus on research to drive and inform international decision-making and policy change.While there is a strong biological focus for much of the research, this SRP will integrate research from multiple disciplines, complement existing SCAR activities and work with feedback from policy bodies to achieve conservation outcomes and improve environmental management in Antarctica, the Southern Ocean and the sub-Antarctic.
The programme will focus on three research theme:
- Current state and future projections of Antarctic systems, species and functions,
- Sustainability and impact mitigation of human activities in the Antarctic region and
- Socio-ecological approaches to Antarctic and Southern Ocean conservation,
It will also include a synthesis theme (Science synthesis for decision-making and policy development) to help facilitate the transition from scientific results to policy change.