Heard Island, an extremely remote sub-Antarctic territory of Australia, is undergoing some of the most profound ecological changes on the planet. Meanwhile, climate change is melting nearly 25% of its glaciers! Heard Island UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its punctuated by remnants of volcanism biodiversity. It is located approximately 4,100 kilometers southwest of the Australian city of Perth and 1,700 kilometers north of Antarctica. Now, new on-the-ground research suggests that these changes may have drastic impacts on the island’s ecosystems.
The rugged, active volcano Big Ben completely dominates the island. It’s for these reasons that scientists have concentrated their studies on the region, uncovering disturbing trends in its glacial coverage. Most of Heard Island, 61% is still covered by ice. With glaciers retreating at an accelerating pace, scientists are more alarmed than ever over the impact on mountain biodiversity and the global climate system.
Research Findings on Glacier Melting
The researchers embarked on a massive study using old USGS topographical maps from 1947 compared to current satellite imagery. Our investigation shows just how drastic that loss has been on glaciers across the decades. Heard Island is home to 29 glaciers. Researchers have recently noticed that almost a fourth of them have disappeared entirely due to increasing temperatures.
Dr. Levan Tielidze, the principal researcher in the study, weighed in on what these discoveries mean.
“These findings are a bellwether of change for our [global climate system],” – Dr. Tielidze
Climate change has taken its toll. Dr. Tielidze added that although Heard Island is remote, it has not been sheltered from the impacts of climate change.
“While Heard Island is just about as remote as it’s possible to be on Earth, it has still suffered profound consequences from climate warming, which is almost certainly due to rising [greenhouse gas emissions] in the 20th and 21st centuries.” – Dr. Tielidze
The study provides unequivocal evidence of a direct link between rising greenhouse gas emissions and the dramatic retreat of glaciers over the last half-century.
The Role of Big Ben and Its Heightened Activity
Big Ben, an active volcano on Heard Island, looms above the Southern Ocean at an official height of 2,745 meters. It is the crown jewel of the island’s otherworldly geological wonders. According to recent re-analyses, Big Ben has actually gotten taller still, climbing above 2,800 meters. The steaming earth and their wonderfully complex volcanic activity likely contribute to the robust climatic conditions that encircle the island.
Big Ben has a huge effect on local ecosystems. It’s a glimpse into the rapidly-evolving landscape of Heard Island. Our researchers are preparing for their next expedition, supported through the Australian Antarctic Program. They’ll examine the impact of the island’s glaciers withdrawing on the steep alpine environments of the island and their rich biodiversity.
No human visits have taken place on Heard Island since 2016, thanks to the island’s remoteness paired with its protected status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As part of the Advancing Conservation 2024 grant program, we hope to raise awareness and understanding of how glacier retreat endangers local plants and animals. The researchers’ glacier inventory maps illustrate the intense transformation that occurred between 1947 and 2019. This pattern not only should stop, it reveals deeper changes in our world.
“The island’s location in the Southern Ocean makes it a key part of the global climate system and an important indicator of the planet’s health, so the changes we are observing paint a really clear and concerning picture.” – Dr. Tielidze
Implications for Biodiversity and Future Research
Dr. Tielidze provided insight into the stakes involved in addressing climate change:
The declarations all highlight the critical immediacy required to address climate change. We need to do everything we can to protect these often vulnerable ecosystems National Environmental Research Parks, such as Heard Island.
“Although this mapping shows stark glacier retreat and further ice loss is unavoidable, whether we retain glaciers or lose most of them entirely is up to humans and the greenhouse gas emission pathway we follow.” – Dr. Tielidze
Furthermore, he added,
“It might also mean the difference between a future where biodiversity is devastated or one where key parts are secured.” – Dr. Tielidze
These statements highlight the urgent need for action to mitigate climate change and protect vulnerable ecosystems such as those found on Heard Island.
