The physical location of Davis and the surrounding area, combined with the wildlife populations near the station, and pristine high latitude atmosphere has long established Davis station as a key research location for the Australian Antarctic Science Program.

Diatoms are among the marine microbes that Dr Andrew Davidson studies.
Marine microbes such as these diatoms (part of the phytoplankton) form the base of the food web and support all life in the Southern Ocean. Photo: Florian Deman

In recent years, Davis has supported a wide range of projects in fields including measurement and monitoring of: geodetic and geophysical information; ultraviolet radiation; upper atmosphere temperature; Antarctic clouds, radiation and precipitation; atmospheric ozone; high latitude gravity waves; near surface atmosphere and cryosphere observations; landscape vulnerability and recovery; old growth mosses as proxies for past Antarctic climates; ecological research and monitoring to improve management strategies and conservation outcomes for Antarctic breeding seabirds; and monitoring for seabird status and trends including responses to environmental variation and change.

Previously, there has also been a strong interest in geology and archaeology in the region, especially in the Vestfold Hills and in the Marine Plain Antarctic Specially Protected Area. The proximity of Davis to areas such as the Larsemann Hill and West Ice Shelf has also established the station as a key staging post for projects utilising intracontinental air transport including between Australia’s other two Antarctic research stations, Casey and Mawson.

Search for information about current science projects, or see our science pages to read about science projects in Antarctica.

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Aerial view of Organic Lake in Antarctica
3 scientists in a rubber dingy trawl for invertebrate samples in the water off Davis
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