Citizen Science

Research in the polar regions is notoriously expensive and limited due to remoteness and seasonal accessibility, so travelling to Antarctica with an IAATO operator provides an exceptional opportunity to support science.

Citizen science is the collection of data by polar travelers and guides for projects developed by professional scientists.

By harnessing the collective power of this community, we are contributing towards globally important research while creating fun, hands-on learning opportunities for guests. This can deepen their understanding of, and appreciation for, Antarctica’s special values. Ultimately, these two elements can contribute towards the ongoing conservation of the continent and the surrounding ocean that we all love.

IAATO and the Polar Citizen Science Collective work together to bring you information on how to incorporate a successful citizen science project into your operation. It includes straightforward guidance and a list of tried and tested projects developed by, and in collaboration with, scientists from recognised institutions. Most projects can be incorporated into your itinerary without the need for additional permits or authorisation, but always check with your operator and, if necessary, your competent authority.

The Polar Citizen Science Collective and IAATO Secretariat can offer further support. If you have any questions about projects or issues accessing resources please email info.polarcollective@gmail.com or iaato@iaato.org.

Thanks, and happy sciencing – Antarctic is where science is at its coolest!

Many IAATO operators encourage Antarctic travellers to collect data through citizen science initiatives, usually as part of a collaborative project with professional scientists.

These projects make science more accessible, fun and engaging, but also generate cutting edge science in the otherwise under-studied and tricky-to-get to polar regions. Citizen science allows everyone to be more than just visitors by experiencing Antarctica in a more hands on way, developing a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, this beautiful place. Through this heightened level of participation, our guests are more likely to become true Antarctic Ambassadors.

And you don’t need to be in Antarctica to get involved. You can help Penguin Watch researchers by counting penguins now from wherever you are.

Count penguins now

Taking Cloud Observations & Atmospheric Measurements for NASA’s GLOBE Observer

Citizen scientists in Antarctica and across the world are recording cloud cover to help scientists understand how surface and air temperatures are affected by it, and how clouds will respond to a changing climate. Clouds affect how much sunlight is being absorbed by the earth and how much heat escapes back into space. When a GLOBE Clouds observation is taken within 15 minutes of a satellite overpass, the data are matched to NASA satellite data for further analysis.

Find out more about GLOBE

Surveying seabirds for the Antarctic Site Inventory

Seabirds can tell us an amazing amount about the environment they live in, including about the populations of the prey they eat, such as fish and krill which is usually difficult to study. Because they come back to breeding colonies to raise their young, it is also possible to learn about their populations and how they are changing over time. Citizen scientists travelling to Antarctica are able to participate in at sea or on shore surveys, contributing to the Antarctic Site Inventory, a long-term monitoring project coordinated by Oceanites, Stony brook University, New York, and other partners.

Sampling phytoplankton for FjordPhyto

Phytoplankton is at the base of the food chain supporting all marine life. Scientists from the project FjordPhyto rely on samples of phytoplankton collected by Antarctic travellers. The samples, collected during the austral summer, help them understand how melted glacial water affects phytoplankton populations in fjords along the Antarctic Peninsula.

Find out more about FjordPhyto

Measuring abundance of phytoplankton with a Secchi Disc

The distribution, composition and abundance of phytoplankton is altering as oceans are affected by climate change. By lowering a Secchi Disk vertically into the sea from a stationary vessel, citizen scientists are able to record the ‘Secchi Depth’. This is the depth when the Secchi Disk disappears from sight. The Secchi Depth measures the clarity of seawater which, away from estuaries and coasts, indicates the amount of phytoplankton at the sea surface.

Projects

Section 16 of the IAATO Field Operations Manual (Supporting Science) provides a ‘how to’ document and list of recommended projects. This includes:

Secchi project
Happywhale
Antarctic Site Inventory
GLOBE Clouds
Polartag