Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Melinda Waterman

Environmental Futures @uowenvirofutures.bsky.social · 18d

Congratulations to Dr Nathan Jankowski and Dr Melinda Waterman who were awarded the Environmental Futures Publication of the Month Award this morning 👏

Come along to the EF member catch up held monthly at the White Cedar Courtyard

@inthedarklab.bsky.social @drmelwaterman.bsky.social

2 2

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Aug 21

Antarctica is under pressure from environmental changes and human activity, but how well is its coastal wildlife being monitored?

The team incl. @antarcticmoss.bsky.social & I sifted through the literature to find out.

Here is what we found (out now)
doi.org/10.1111/gcb....

@arcsaef.bsky.social

Research Bias in Long‐Term Monitoring of Antarctic Nearshore Marine and Terrestrial Biota

Antarctic wildlife is under pressure from environmental changes and human activity, but how well is Antarctica's coastal biota being monitored? While over half of the long-term monitoring studies spa....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

2 5

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Feb 11

Day 12 #SAEFgoesSouth
12-01-2025 Part 2
Cormorant Island

@antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I were in awe at the diversity of #mosses and #lichens during an unplanned visit to Cormorant Island in the evening.

Moss cushions on rock platforms. Some covered in lichens.

Different lichen species on exposed rocks

1 5

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Feb 11

Day 12 #SAEFgoesSouth
12-01-2025 Part 1
Palmer Station, Anvers Island

An early start at Palmer Station to hunt for #moss along newly exposed land due to rapid glacial retreat. The #glacier behind Palmer Station has retreated at least 450 m in the last 60 years.

The #glacier behind Palmer Station has retreated at least 450 m in the last 60 years

1 1 4

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Feb 3

Day 11 #SAEFgoesSouth
11-01-2025
Biscoe Point, Anvers Island, #Antarctica

Evening trip ashore. @antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I were surprised how close #moss was growing to #penguin subcolonies and to the sea.
Back for late dinner at 2200.

1 2

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Feb 3

Day 10 #SAEFgoesSouth
10-01-2025
On the DAP Betanzos ship at sea, returning to Propsect Pt to the north.

The team (@antarcticmoss.bsky.social, Gustavo, Diego and I) has adapted to life on the Betanzos - sharing confined spaces for sleeping, eating and working. Plus we've made friends with the crew!

Sleeping quarters for passengers on the DAP Betanzos Ship - 2 bunk beds, 4 lockers & a small ensuite bathroom.

Dining room - we were separated into 2 groups for mealtimes. We made friends with the two friendly ship stewards (not pictured here)

The lounge room where we would have seminars, meetings and movies

1 3

Reposted by Melinda Waterman

Sharon Robinson @antarcticmoss.bsky.social · Feb 2

@drmelwaterman.bsky.social has started a blog about our current research trip to the Antarctic peninsula. We have had a really successful time on ships, the Betanzos and the Karpuj and @Escudero station where we are are being hosted by the instituto Antartico Chileno.

#SAEFgoSouth

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Feb 2

Day 9 #SAEFgoesSouth
09-01-2025
Carvajal Station, SW tip of Adelaide Island, #Antarctica

Spent a sunny morning ashore at the Chilean Carvajal station - collected #moss samples, watched Elephant #seals and gazed at the #iceberg scattered coastline.

Diego Salinas from Universidad de Santiago de Chile sampling moss on small plateaus of a rocky outcrop

Iceberg scattered coastline on a sunny day at Carvajal Station on Adelaide Island

Elephant seals sunbaking next to Carvajal Station

1 5

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Feb 2

Day 9 #SAEFgoesSouth
09-01-2025
Carvajal Station, SW tip of Adelaide Island, #Antarctica

Spent a sunny morning ashore at the Chilean Carvajal station - collected #moss samples, watched Elephant #seals and gazed at the #iceberg scattered coastline.

1 4

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Feb 2

Day 8 - #SAEFgoesSouth
08-01-2025
Lat 67.883°S, Long 67.399°W
Privileged to see the wonder of the steep slopes of Lagotellerie Island. Many covered in lush green #moss beds.
Sampled moss as long as 11 cm.

Some of the steep slopes of Lagotellerie Island, Antarctica

2 6

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Feb 2

Day 7 - #SAEFgoesSouth
07-01-2025
Crossed the #Antarctic circle (66.56°S) on our way south to Marguerite Bay! Watched as we passed icebergs off the coast of Adelaide Island.
Also getting used to life on a ship.

An iceberg off the coast of Adelaide Island

3 10

Reposted by Melinda Waterman

Climate News @climatenews.bsky.social · Feb 2

Ronny Chieng explained climate change on the Daily Show a year ago and it remains as relevant as ever!

21 360 1.1K

Reposted by Melinda Waterman

Sharon Robinson @antarcticmoss.bsky.social · Jan 30

Bon voyage Martina Sanderson-Smith and @ecologee.bsky.social I hope the Drake is kind to you!

If you pass King George Island let @drmelwaterman.bsky.social & I know and we can wave from Escudero!

1 2

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Jan 29

Thanks @antarcticmoss.bsky.social! This one has been very special 😀

1

Reposted by Melinda Waterman

PHD Comics @phdcomics.com · Jan 28

My new book is OUT!! Buy a copy, you'll sleep better: bit.ly/OOYM

1 8 75

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Jan 28

Day 6 - #SAEFgoesSouth
06-01-2025
Lat 66.028°S, Long 65.338°W
4 h trip ashore to a quiet island near Prospect Pt and...we found little cushions of #moss. Our first samples for this trip!
The slushy snow definitely made it difficult to sample and keep warm.

A very rocky moss collection site, only accessible by zodiac boat

1 3

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Jan 28

Day 5 - #SAEFgoesSouth
05-01-2025
On Betanzos ship sailing SW down the #Antarctic Peninsula through beautiful #icy landscapes of the Lemaire Channel and saw skuas, cormorants, penguins and a whale.

Due to arrive 'Base J' @0300 tomorrow, where we will hunt for moss.

Photo of ship track so far down the Peninsula.

DAP Betanzos crew and passengers enjoying the spectacular views of the Lemaire Channel

At the end of the Lemaire Channel. Whale seen in the distance to the left of the large iceberg

1 1

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Jan 28

Day 4 - #SAEFgoesSouth
04-01-2025
Moss team getting our sea legs. Short trip ashore to Base O'Higgins on the #Antarctic Peninsula. Very sunny day, ~0°C, 15 kt wind. No living moss found near the station to sample. Lots of green algae though.

Base O'Higgins (Chile), #Antarctica on a beautiful sunny day. No living moss found in this area = no moss sample.

1 2

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Jan 28

Day 3 - #SAEFgoesSouth
03-01-2025
Flight South confirmed! We boarded DAP940 @1900, destination King George Island, #Antarctica.
We (and our gear) made it aboard the DAP Betanzos ship by ~2200. After some welcome snacks, we found our cabins and went to sleep. Next stop Base O'Higgins.

Checked in with all our gear and ready to go to the gate at Punta Arenas - board in the background showing scheduled flights to Antarctica

Sharon, Gustavo and Diego about to board DAP940 flight to Antarctica
📸 Melinda Waterman

1 1

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Jan 26

Day 2 - #SAEFgoesSouth
02-01-2025
Sunny day with a cool breeze in Punta Arenas, Chile

Collected additional clothing kit from Chilean Antarctic Program (INACH), met other members of the team, and waited for confirmation for flight south [planned for today but delayed due to weather conditions]

Our team of four in line to collect clothing kit issued by INACH

Mel, Sharon & Gustavo at INACH with some cardboard penguin friends
📸 Diego Salinas

Gustavo & Mel (Diego in background) at the beach in Punta Arenas
📸 Sharon Robinson

1 1

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Jan 26

Days 0 & 1 - #SAEFgoesSouth
31-12-24 & 01-01-2025

After a long flight from Sydney to Santiago, @antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I celebrated NYE in Santiago.
Then we flew to Punta Arenas, Chile at 0600. Checked in to hotel, wandered the quiet town and waited for info about our flight to #Antarctica

NYE in Santiago with Mel, Sharon & Gustavo

1 1 2

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Jan 20

Having a 'mossome' field trip sampling moss in the #Antarctica peninsula region with @antarcticmoss.bsky.social, Gustavo Zuñiga & Diego Salinas.
Thanks to INACH and @arcsaef.bsky.social

Summaries of our daily reports to come! #SAEFGoesSouth

📸 Pablo Espinoza (INACH)

Mel collecting moss in Antarctica (moss in foreground and an icy landscape in the background)

13 1 29

Reposted by Melinda Waterman

PHD Comics @phdcomics.com · Jan 19

Abstract Art
**Hey, get a signed print of one of my comics: bit.ly/mind-print

2 28 170

Reposted by Melinda Waterman

Sharon Robinson @antarcticmoss.bsky.social · Jan 3

In Punta Arenas about to board a DAP flight for Antarctica with @drmelwaterman.bsky.social Gustavo Zuniga, Diego Salinas to join the Betanzos & sail to the Peninsula. Thanks to INACH and @arcsaef.bsky.social
#SAEFGoesSouth

1 1 6

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Jan 2

@antarcticmoss.bsky.social and I had a very long NYE as we flew from Sydney to Santiago on our way to #Antarctica
#SAEFGoesSouth

Mel and Sharon at Sydney airport about to depart for Santiago, Chile

Mel and Sharon at Santiago airport with kit

1 3

Melinda Waterman @drmelwaterman.bsky.social · Dec 31

The usual prep for #Antarctic fieldwork (day before NYE): baking #ANZAC biscuits

3