Research Lines
1. Origin and diversification of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic biodiversity
5. Changes in distribution and extinction risk of biota in Antarctica and sub-Antarctica
2. Impact of glacial cycles on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic diversity
6. Observatory of the state of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic biodiversity
3. Dispersion and connectivity of biota across the Southern Ocean
7. Science for decision-making in biodiversity conservation practices
4. Physiological responses to climate change in Antarctica and sub-Antarctica
8. Governance of biodiversity in Antarctica and sub-Antarctica
Research
The BASE Millennium Institute for Biodiversity of Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic Ecosystems investigates the past, present, and future of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic biodiversity: the fate of a unique biota in a changing world dramatically affected by climate change. It also seeks to ensure that knowledge generated by BASE researchers is used in public policy decision-making.
The BASE Millennium Institute is committed to strengthening collaboration with research centers at local, national, and regional levels to contribute to new proposals for Antarctic governance oriented toward conservation based on science, peace, and sustainability.
BASE brings together specialists in biodiversity, conservation, and international law to integrate advanced knowledge and frontier research through its eight research lines, focused on analyzing biodiversity across study sites, including microorganisms, plants, and animals.
Today, ecosystems face multiple anthropogenic pressures, making it difficult to distinguish the effect of climate change on biodiversity from other factors such as habitat loss and degradation, pollution, and overexploitation. The Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic (ASA) regions are among the most pristine areas in the world, making them key environments for understanding, assessing, and predicting the effects of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
In this context, BASE proposes identifying the effects of past climate changes on the evolution and biogeography of ASA regions, while projecting the future of this biodiversity by assessing potential changes in distribution and extinction risks for native species, as well as the establishment of exotic species.
To achieve these objectives, BASE brings together specialists from diverse fields of knowledge—biodiversity, conservation, and international law—forming a synergistic, interdisciplinary, and decentralized research team that includes frontier scientific research, training plans, investment in human development, and a strong commitment to environmental, social, economic, and political issues relevant to Chile and the world.
