Millennium Institute Biodiversity of Antarctic and Subantarctic Ecosystems (BASE) researches the past, present and future of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic biodiversity: the fate of a unique biota, in a changing world that has been dramatically affected by climate change. At the same time, it looks for the knowledge generated by the BASE researchers team to be used in public policy decision-making.

The commitment of BASE Millennium Institute is to strengthen the articulation and work with research centers at the local, national, and regional levels to contribute to the generation of new proposals for Antarctic governance oriented towards conservation based on Science, Peace and Sustainability.

BASE Millennium Institute brings together specialists in biodiversity, conservation and international law, in order to integrate advanced knowledge and cutting-edge research through its 8 research areas focused on the analysis of biodiversity of the study sites, including microorganisms, plants and animals.

Ecosystems are currently experiencing multiple anthropogenic pressures, making it difficult to distinguish the effect of climate change on biodiversity from other factors such as habitat loss and degradation, pollution and overexploitation. The Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic regions (ASA) are among the most pristine areas in the world, making them a key setting for understanding, assessing and predicting the effect of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem services.

In this context, BASE Millennium Institute proposes to identify the effects of past climatic changes on the evolution and biogeography of the ASA regions and at the same time, to project the future of this biodiversity, evaluating potential changes in distribution and risks of extinction of native species, as well as the establishment of exotic species.

To achieve these goals, BASE Millennium Institute brings together specialists from different knowledge areas: biodiversity, conservation and international law, generating a synergistic, interdisciplinary and decentralized research team, including cutting-edge scientific research, training and investment plans in human development as well as a solid commitment to environmental, social, economic and political issues relevant to Chile and the world.

Main expected outcomes:

• To lead cutting-edge scientific research and excellence in the coming years, in terms of biodiversity, conservation, and international law in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic territory, through scientific publications and collaborative work.
• To produce interdisciplinary knowledge on biodiversity, conservation and international law, in order to integrate advanced knowledge of the past, present and future of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic biodiversity.

• To educate, train and develop skills in undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students, with the mentoring and experience of researchers from BASE Millennium Institute.
  
  
• Consolidate a virtuous global collaboration network based on research excellence on biodiversity, conservation and international law, led by researchers from BASE Millennium Institute.
  
  
• Communicate the knowledge and scientific results of BASE Millennium Institute to opinion leaders, decision makers and the general audience, developing innovative spaces for scientific communication on physical and digital platforms, with an emphasis on citizen science.