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Thu 06 Nov 14:00: The Effects of Subglacial Discharge on Ice-Shelf Melt Patterns and Ice-Sheet Response - Franka Jesse

Conservation-related talks - 3 hours 33 min ago
The Effects of Subglacial Discharge on Ice-Shelf Melt Patterns and Ice-Sheet Response - Franka Jesse

Subglacial discharge, the release of freshwater from beneath glaciers into the ocean, affects melt patterns beneath Antarctic ice shelves. The added buoyancy at the grounding line accelerates meltwater flow, which directly enhances melt rates and increases entrainment of ambient ocean water. In this seminar, I will present ongoing work on implementing subglacial discharge within the sub-shelf melt model LADDIE2 .0. We will explore how subglacial discharge affects melt patterns beneath different ice shelves, highlighting the magnitude of melt amplification and the most impacted regions. I will also show results from idealised (simplified geometry and forcing) coupled experiments using LADDIE2 .0 and the ice-sheet model UFEMISM2 .0. Interestingly, in these simulations, the strongest initial melt anomalies from including subglacial discharge do not necessarily lead to the greatest long-term ice-sheet mass loss. Instead, the release location of subglacial discharge plays a key role.

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Thu 06 Nov 14:00: The Effects of Subglacial Discharge on Ice-Shelf Melt Patterns and Ice-Sheet Response - Franka Jesse

Conservation Talks - 3 hours 33 min ago
The Effects of Subglacial Discharge on Ice-Shelf Melt Patterns and Ice-Sheet Response - Franka Jesse

Subglacial discharge, the release of freshwater from beneath glaciers into the ocean, affects melt patterns beneath Antarctic ice shelves. The added buoyancy at the grounding line accelerates meltwater flow, which directly enhances melt rates and increases entrainment of ambient ocean water. In this seminar, I will present ongoing work on implementing subglacial discharge within the sub-shelf melt model LADDIE2 .0. We will explore how subglacial discharge affects melt patterns beneath different ice shelves, highlighting the magnitude of melt amplification and the most impacted regions. I will also show results from idealised (simplified geometry and forcing) coupled experiments using LADDIE2 .0 and the ice-sheet model UFEMISM2 .0. Interestingly, in these simulations, the strongest initial melt anomalies from including subglacial discharge do not necessarily lead to the greatest long-term ice-sheet mass loss. Instead, the release location of subglacial discharge plays a key role.

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Thu 06 Nov 14:00: The Effects of Subglacial Discharge on Ice-Shelf Melt Patterns and Ice-Sheet Response - Franka Jesse

Conservation at Cambridge - 3 hours 33 min ago
The Effects of Subglacial Discharge on Ice-Shelf Melt Patterns and Ice-Sheet Response - Franka Jesse

Subglacial discharge, the release of freshwater from beneath glaciers into the ocean, affects melt patterns beneath Antarctic ice shelves. The added buoyancy at the grounding line accelerates meltwater flow, which directly enhances melt rates and increases entrainment of ambient ocean water. In this seminar, I will present ongoing work on implementing subglacial discharge within the sub-shelf melt model LADDIE2 .0. We will explore how subglacial discharge affects melt patterns beneath different ice shelves, highlighting the magnitude of melt amplification and the most impacted regions. I will also show results from idealised (simplified geometry and forcing) coupled experiments using LADDIE2 .0 and the ice-sheet model UFEMISM2 .0. Interestingly, in these simulations, the strongest initial melt anomalies from including subglacial discharge do not necessarily lead to the greatest long-term ice-sheet mass loss. Instead, the release location of subglacial discharge plays a key role.

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Wed 15 Oct 14:00: Calibration of a Coupled Ice-Ocean Model of West Antarctica - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Conservation-related talks - 9 hours 56 min ago
Calibration of a Coupled Ice-Ocean Model of West Antarctica - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet has experienced sustained mass loss over the past three decades, a trend projected to continue in future climate scenarios. This loss is primarily driven by basal melting along the Amundsen Sea coast, where warm ocean waters interact with floating ice shelves. Internal ice dynamics further modulate the ice sheet’s response to ocean forcing, highlighting the need for coupled modelling approaches.

In this study, I present the calibration of a new coupled ice-ocean model of West Antarctica, covering the region from the Abbot to the Getz basins, including key glaciers such as Pine Island and Thwaites. The ice sheet component is simulated using the ice-flow model Úa, optimised in two stages to match present-day conditions. This is coupled offline to the MIT general circulation model (MITgcm), which incorporates sea ice and ice shelf thermodynamics and is driven by historical atmospheric reanalyses.

We assess the sensitivity of the coupled model hindcast to melt rate parameters in MITgcm and calibrate it against observations of basal melt rates, and changes in ice velocity and ice thickness over recent decades. This represents the first such calibration using both oceanic and glaciological observations. The results presented here will inform optimal melt parameters for other models. Additionally, our historically calibrated model will be used to predict future sea level contributions and help us to better constrain the complex interplay between ice dynamics and ocean forcing in West Antarctica.

Link to the teams meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MjE5MmIxMGYtNzllMC00MmNlLTlhMDMtMmE1MWJjNGVmNzQ4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22b311db95-32ad-438f-a101-7ba061712a4e%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229a5b5150-2ddd-43f0-9054-966647264d30%22%7d

PLEASE NOTE If you are external to BAS and wish to attend please email the organisers in advance so they can organise to meet you in reception !!!

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Wed 15 Oct 14:00: Calibration of a Coupled Ice-Ocean Model of West Antarctica - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Conservation Talks - 9 hours 56 min ago
Calibration of a Coupled Ice-Ocean Model of West Antarctica - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet has experienced sustained mass loss over the past three decades, a trend projected to continue in future climate scenarios. This loss is primarily driven by basal melting along the Amundsen Sea coast, where warm ocean waters interact with floating ice shelves. Internal ice dynamics further modulate the ice sheet’s response to ocean forcing, highlighting the need for coupled modelling approaches.

In this study, I present the calibration of a new coupled ice-ocean model of West Antarctica, covering the region from the Abbot to the Getz basins, including key glaciers such as Pine Island and Thwaites. The ice sheet component is simulated using the ice-flow model Úa, optimised in two stages to match present-day conditions. This is coupled offline to the MIT general circulation model (MITgcm), which incorporates sea ice and ice shelf thermodynamics and is driven by historical atmospheric reanalyses.

We assess the sensitivity of the coupled model hindcast to melt rate parameters in MITgcm and calibrate it against observations of basal melt rates, and changes in ice velocity and ice thickness over recent decades. This represents the first such calibration using both oceanic and glaciological observations. The results presented here will inform optimal melt parameters for other models. Additionally, our historically calibrated model will be used to predict future sea level contributions and help us to better constrain the complex interplay between ice dynamics and ocean forcing in West Antarctica.

Link to the teams meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MjE5MmIxMGYtNzllMC00MmNlLTlhMDMtMmE1MWJjNGVmNzQ4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22b311db95-32ad-438f-a101-7ba061712a4e%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229a5b5150-2ddd-43f0-9054-966647264d30%22%7d

PLEASE NOTE If you are external to BAS and wish to attend please email the organisers in advance so they can organise to meet you in reception !!!

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Wed 15 Oct 14:00: Calibration of a Coupled Ice-Ocean Model of West Antarctica - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Conservation at Cambridge - 9 hours 56 min ago
Calibration of a Coupled Ice-Ocean Model of West Antarctica - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet has experienced sustained mass loss over the past three decades, a trend projected to continue in future climate scenarios. This loss is primarily driven by basal melting along the Amundsen Sea coast, where warm ocean waters interact with floating ice shelves. Internal ice dynamics further modulate the ice sheet’s response to ocean forcing, highlighting the need for coupled modelling approaches.

In this study, I present the calibration of a new coupled ice-ocean model of West Antarctica, covering the region from the Abbot to the Getz basins, including key glaciers such as Pine Island and Thwaites. The ice sheet component is simulated using the ice-flow model Úa, optimised in two stages to match present-day conditions. This is coupled offline to the MIT general circulation model (MITgcm), which incorporates sea ice and ice shelf thermodynamics and is driven by historical atmospheric reanalyses.

We assess the sensitivity of the coupled model hindcast to melt rate parameters in MITgcm and calibrate it against observations of basal melt rates, and changes in ice velocity and ice thickness over recent decades. This represents the first such calibration using both oceanic and glaciological observations. The results presented here will inform optimal melt parameters for other models. Additionally, our historically calibrated model will be used to predict future sea level contributions and help us to better constrain the complex interplay between ice dynamics and ocean forcing in West Antarctica.

Link to the teams meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MjE5MmIxMGYtNzllMC00MmNlLTlhMDMtMmE1MWJjNGVmNzQ4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22b311db95-32ad-438f-a101-7ba061712a4e%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229a5b5150-2ddd-43f0-9054-966647264d30%22%7d

PLEASE NOTE If you are external to BAS and wish to attend please email the organisers in advance so they can organise to meet you in reception !!!

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Natural World Heritage sites under growing threat, but bright spots remain

Biodiversity News - Sat, 11/10/2025 - 11:32
Many of these extraordinary places are increasingly at risk due to escalating climate change, invasive species, and and a lack of consistent funding to protect them. Jessica Beaudette, Visiting Scholar, Center for Biodiversity Outcomes, Arizona State University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

And then there were none: Australia’s only shrew declared extinct

Biodiversity News - Fri, 10/10/2025 - 10:46
Australia’s only known shrew has been declared extinct. Its loss emphasises the need for national protection of Australia’s rare and unique wildlife. John Woinarski, Professor of Conservation Biology, Charles Darwin University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Mon 20 Oct 13:00: Multihazard in a warming world: landslides, volcanoes and cryospheric hazards in the 21st century

Conservation at Cambridge - Fri, 10/10/2025 - 09:32
Multihazard in a warming world: landslides, volcanoes and cryospheric hazards in the 21st century

Glacierized mountainous areas make up some of the most hazardous landscapes of our planet, and are undergoing profound changes under 21st century climatic warming. The answers to two fundamental questions are required in these areas: (i) what is the baseline hazard and risk, and (ii) are the hazard and risk likely to increase or decrease in coming decades. While these questions remain largely unanswered on a global scale, this presentation delves into the subject through a series of case studies of complex hazards in glacierized and high-mountain areas.

In this talk, I will consider both the gaps in our current knowledge, and how novel techniques and datasets help bridge these. In particular, I will discuss the two-way interactions between landslides and glaciers, improving summit ice volume estimates at glacierized volcanoes, and new optical feature tracking approaches to map slope deformation the scale of mountain ranges. The evolving hazard profile intersects with a growing population and rapidly developing infrastructure networks. As a result, a cross-disciplinary approach is essential to comprehensively analyse and mitigate risk. This talk highlights the significance of addressing these challenges and explores avenues for future research.

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Labor is close to a deal on environmental law reforms. There are troubling signs these will fall short

Biodiversity News - Fri, 10/10/2025 - 05:04
Labor is close to a deal on its environmental law reforms. Will they strong enough to protect nature? Euan Ritchie, Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, School of Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University Phillipa C. McCormack, Future Making Fellow, Environment Institute, University of Adelaide Yung En Chee, Senior Research Fellow, Environmental Science, The University of Melbourne Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wed 15 Oct 14:00: Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Conservation-related talks - Wed, 08/10/2025 - 11:47
Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Next up in the Polar Ocean Semanar Series we are delighted to welcome Jan De Rydt and Brad Reed from the University of Northumbria. The seminar will take place Wednesday 15th October at 2pm in Seminar Room 2.

Brad and Jan will be visiting BAS from Wednesday to Thursday to evening so get in touch if you would like to organise a chat. We will also be organising a pub trip on the Wednesday evening updates to come!

Jan De Rydt is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at Northumbria University, where he conducts research in polar glaciology and oceanography. He is interested in physical processes that govern the dynamics of glaciers and ice caps, and their interactions with the climate system. He uses a combination of theory, measurements and numerical models to simulate present-day and future changes of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, and understand their complex intereactions with the surrounding ocean. His work aims to enable more robust forecasts of sea level rise over the next decades to centuries, and advance our understanding of the interactions between ice sheets and the global climate system.

Brad Reed is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Northumbria University interested in the behaviour of glaciers and ice sheets. He primarily uses numerical modelling to study the flow of glaciers and how they respond to external conditions. To do this, he also incorporates satellite data and other data sources into the modelling process for validation and comparison.

Link to the teams meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MjE5MmIxMGYtNzllMC00MmNlLTlhMDMtMmE1MWJjNGVmNzQ4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22b311db95-32ad-438f-a101-7ba061712a4e%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229a5b5150-2ddd-43f0-9054-966647264d30%22%7d

PLEASE NOTE If you are external to BAS and wish to attend please email the organisers in advance so they can organise to meet you in reception !!!

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Wed 15 Oct 14:00: Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Conservation Talks - Wed, 08/10/2025 - 11:47
Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Next up in the Polar Ocean Semanar Series we are delighted to welcome Jan De Rydt and Brad Reed from the University of Northumbria. The seminar will take place Wednesday 15th October at 2pm in Seminar Room 2.

Brad and Jan will be visiting BAS from Wednesday to Thursday to evening so get in touch if you would like to organise a chat. We will also be organising a pub trip on the Wednesday evening updates to come!

Jan De Rydt is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at Northumbria University, where he conducts research in polar glaciology and oceanography. He is interested in physical processes that govern the dynamics of glaciers and ice caps, and their interactions with the climate system. He uses a combination of theory, measurements and numerical models to simulate present-day and future changes of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, and understand their complex intereactions with the surrounding ocean. His work aims to enable more robust forecasts of sea level rise over the next decades to centuries, and advance our understanding of the interactions between ice sheets and the global climate system.

Brad Reed is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Northumbria University interested in the behaviour of glaciers and ice sheets. He primarily uses numerical modelling to study the flow of glaciers and how they respond to external conditions. To do this, he also incorporates satellite data and other data sources into the modelling process for validation and comparison.

Link to the teams meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MjE5MmIxMGYtNzllMC00MmNlLTlhMDMtMmE1MWJjNGVmNzQ4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22b311db95-32ad-438f-a101-7ba061712a4e%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229a5b5150-2ddd-43f0-9054-966647264d30%22%7d

PLEASE NOTE If you are external to BAS and wish to attend please email the organisers in advance so they can organise to meet you in reception !!!

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Wed 15 Oct 14:00: Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Conservation at Cambridge - Wed, 08/10/2025 - 11:47
Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Next up in the Polar Ocean Semanar Series we are delighted to welcome Jan De Rydt and Brad Reed from the University of Northumbria. The seminar will take place Wednesday 15th October at 2pm in Seminar Room 2.

Brad and Jan will be visiting BAS from Wednesday to Thursday to evening so get in touch if you would like to organise a chat. We will also be organising a pub trip on the Wednesday evening updates to come!

Jan De Rydt is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at Northumbria University, where he conducts research in polar glaciology and oceanography. He is interested in physical processes that govern the dynamics of glaciers and ice caps, and their interactions with the climate system. He uses a combination of theory, measurements and numerical models to simulate present-day and future changes of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, and understand their complex intereactions with the surrounding ocean. His work aims to enable more robust forecasts of sea level rise over the next decades to centuries, and advance our understanding of the interactions between ice sheets and the global climate system.

Brad Reed is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Northumbria University interested in the behaviour of glaciers and ice sheets. He primarily uses numerical modelling to study the flow of glaciers and how they respond to external conditions. To do this, he also incorporates satellite data and other data sources into the modelling process for validation and comparison.

Link to the teams meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MjE5MmIxMGYtNzllMC00MmNlLTlhMDMtMmE1MWJjNGVmNzQ4%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%22b311db95-32ad-438f-a101-7ba061712a4e%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%229a5b5150-2ddd-43f0-9054-966647264d30%22%7d

PLEASE NOTE If you are external to BAS and wish to attend please email the organisers in advance so they can organise to meet you in reception !!!

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Whiskers for warrens: why wombats have such whiskery snouts

Biodiversity News - Wed, 08/10/2025 - 03:54
Wombats’ whiskery noses help them snuffle for food, navigate burrows and sense friend or foe. Julie Old, Associate Professor in Biology, Zoology and Animal Science, Western Sydney University Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.

Wed 15 Oct 14:00: Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Conservation-related talks - Tue, 07/10/2025 - 15:14
Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Next up in the Polar Ocean Semanar Series we are delighted to welcome Jan De Rydt and Brad Reed from the University of Northumbria. The seminar will take place Wednesday 15th October at 2pm in Seminar Room 2.

Brad and Jan will be visiting BAS from Wednesday to Thursday to evening so get in touch if you would like to organise a chat. We will also be organising a pub trip on the Wednesday evening updates to come!

Jan De Rydt is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at Northumbria University, where he conducts research in polar glaciology and oceanography. He is interested in physical processes that govern the dynamics of glaciers and ice caps, and their interactions with the climate system. He uses a combination of theory, measurements and numerical models to simulate present-day and future changes of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, and understand their complex intereactions with the surrounding ocean. His work aims to enable more robust forecasts of sea level rise over the next decades to centuries, and advance our understanding of the interactions between ice sheets and the global climate system.

Brad Reed is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Northumbria University interested in the behaviour of glaciers and ice sheets. He primarily uses numerical modelling to study the flow of glaciers and how they respond to external conditions. To do this, he also incorporates satellite data and other data sources into the modelling process for validation and comparison.

PLEASE NOTE If you are external to BAS and wish to attend please email the organisers in advance so they can organise to meet you in reception !!!

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Wed 15 Oct 14:00: Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Conservation Talks - Tue, 07/10/2025 - 15:14
Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Next up in the Polar Ocean Semanar Series we are delighted to welcome Jan De Rydt and Brad Reed from the University of Northumbria. The seminar will take place Wednesday 15th October at 2pm in Seminar Room 2.

Brad and Jan will be visiting BAS from Wednesday to Thursday to evening so get in touch if you would like to organise a chat. We will also be organising a pub trip on the Wednesday evening updates to come!

Jan De Rydt is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at Northumbria University, where he conducts research in polar glaciology and oceanography. He is interested in physical processes that govern the dynamics of glaciers and ice caps, and their interactions with the climate system. He uses a combination of theory, measurements and numerical models to simulate present-day and future changes of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, and understand their complex intereactions with the surrounding ocean. His work aims to enable more robust forecasts of sea level rise over the next decades to centuries, and advance our understanding of the interactions between ice sheets and the global climate system.

Brad Reed is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Northumbria University interested in the behaviour of glaciers and ice sheets. He primarily uses numerical modelling to study the flow of glaciers and how they respond to external conditions. To do this, he also incorporates satellite data and other data sources into the modelling process for validation and comparison.

PLEASE NOTE If you are external to BAS and wish to attend please email the organisers in advance so they can organise to meet you in reception !!!

Add to your calendar or Include in your list

Wed 15 Oct 14:00: Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Conservation at Cambridge - Tue, 07/10/2025 - 15:14
Polar Oceans Seminar Talk - Brad reed and Jan De Rydt

Next up in the Polar Ocean Semanar Series we are delighted to welcome Jan De Rydt and Brad Reed from the University of Northumbria. The seminar will take place Wednesday 15th October at 2pm in Seminar Room 2.

Brad and Jan will be visiting BAS from Wednesday to Thursday to evening so get in touch if you would like to organise a chat. We will also be organising a pub trip on the Wednesday evening updates to come!

Jan De Rydt is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at Northumbria University, where he conducts research in polar glaciology and oceanography. He is interested in physical processes that govern the dynamics of glaciers and ice caps, and their interactions with the climate system. He uses a combination of theory, measurements and numerical models to simulate present-day and future changes of the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, and understand their complex intereactions with the surrounding ocean. His work aims to enable more robust forecasts of sea level rise over the next decades to centuries, and advance our understanding of the interactions between ice sheets and the global climate system.

Brad Reed is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Northumbria University interested in the behaviour of glaciers and ice sheets. He primarily uses numerical modelling to study the flow of glaciers and how they respond to external conditions. To do this, he also incorporates satellite data and other data sources into the modelling process for validation and comparison.

PLEASE NOTE If you are external to BAS and wish to attend please email the organisers in advance so they can organise to meet you in reception !!!

Add to your calendar or Include in your list