Wollongong scientists have played their part in recording Antarctica's first ever heatwave.
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In a research paper published in Global Change Biology on Tuesday, the scientists from the University of Wollongong (UOW), Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), University of Tasmania and University of Santiago in Chile expressed their fears the long-term damage the heatwave could have on plants, animals and ecosystems.
Extreme maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded over January 23 to 26 at Casey research station in Antarctica's east, ticking the classification for a heatwave.
Record high temperatures were also reported on the Antarctic Peninsula.
The minimum temperatures at Casey were above zero while maximums were above 7.5 degrees Celsius.
The highest maximum recorded at Casey was 9.2C on January 24, which is nearly 7C higher than the mean maximum for the station.
The morning after clinched the record for highest minimum of 2.5C.
Dr Dana Bergstrom, principle research scientist at the AAD and visiting scholar at UOW, said the hot summer would most likely lead to long-term disruption to local populations, communities, and the broader ecosystem.
This disruption could be both positive and negative.
"Most life exists in small ice-free oases in Antarctica, and largely depends on melting snow and ice for their water supply," Dr Bergstrom said.
"Melt water flooding can provide additional water to these desert ecosystems, leading to increased growth and reproduction of mosses, lichens, microbes and invertebrates.
"However excessive flooding can dislodge plants and alter the composition of communities of invertebrates and microbial mats.
"If the ice melts completely, early in the season, then ecosystems will suffer drought for the rest of the season."
Higher temperatures can also cause heat stress in plants and animals adapted to cold Antarctic conditions.
Dr Bergstrom said further studies were needed to understand the full impact of the heatwave.
"Extreme events often have impacts for years after the event. Long-term study of areas affected by the heatwave will allow us to track this impact," she said.
UOW climate change biologist Senior Professor Sharon Robinson, the paper's lead author, said heatwaves are classified as three consecutive days with both extreme maximum and minimum temperatures.
Professor Robinson said extreme events associated with global climate change are predicted to increase in frequency and impact, and Antarctica was not immune to them.
"The extreme weather experienced in Antarctica over its summer months illustrates how changing extremes are impacting even the most remote areas of the planet," she said.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
