We discounted previous research suggesting geothermal sites provided sufficient ice-free refuges on the coast. Using evidence from the biology and geology of Antarctica, we describe how ice-free refuges (nunataks) could have provided respite for coastal species. So how did life survive? Unusual ice-free refuges Any ice-free land in coastal regions, where life exists today, would have surely been consumed by the expanding ice. Or so it seemed, until now.Īs scientists began to learn more about life in Antarctica, they began to consider the possibility of survival in ice-free refuges. And research published this month suggests early humans sat out the last ice age in the ice-free refuges of southern Europe.īut in Antarctica, land-loving life forms had nowhere to go. The idea of a mammoth, sloth, sabretooth tiger (and pesky humans) migrating south for warmer climes is becoming well known in the Northern Hemisphere. The coming age of iceįor many, the term “Ice Age” conjures up memories of the animated adventures of Manny, Sid and Diego (and don’t forget that squirrel-rat, Scrat!) trying to escape the advancing ice. Our approach explains the uneven distribution of Antarctic terrestrial life, and identifies new research priorities to test our theory further. Then when Antarctica gradually warmed up again, life expanded from these nunatak refuges to repopulate larger ice-free areas. We argue that life forms including invertebrates, vertebrates and plants persisted by retreating to numerous ice-free areas, called nunataks, that were not buried by advancing glaciers. We assembled data to test our theory of how life survived previous ice ages. Professor & Head, School of Earth Atmosphere and Environment expert on glaciers and ice sheets, Monash UniversityĮver since the first expeditions to Antarctica, the persistence of life in this inhospitable environment has remained a mystery. Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Adelaide
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |