The large population of wildlife on Macquarie Island make biological sciences an important part of the program. Animals on the island include penguins, flying seabirds and seals.

Research on Macquarie Island in recent years has focussed on conservation and environmental management through a variety of studies investigating how the island has responded to the long-term pest eradication programs of cats, rabbits, ship rats and mice.

Other scientific programs on Macquarie Island include examining changes in the atmosphere, analysing geological processes and investigating remediation technologies for fuel spill and metal contamination.

The island is an important year-round observational site for the Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience Australia in monitoring southern hemisphere climatic data, and the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) in their role to detect evidence of nuclear explosions as part of an international monitoring network in support of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

The combination of year–round presence and regular ship visits make Macquarie Island an ideal site for a coordinated monitoring program of global importance.

Search the science database to see past and current research projects on Macquarie Island.