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Palmer Station Antarctica LTER

Studying the ecology of the Antarctic Peninsula for over 30 years

The Palmer Long-Term Ecological Research (LTER) study area is located to the west of the Antarctic Peninsula extending South and North of the Palmer Basin from onshore to several hundred kilometers off shore. Palmer Station is one of the three United States research stations located in Antarctica. It is on Anvers Island midway down the Antarctic Peninsula at latitude 64.7 South, longitude 64.0 West.

The Palmer LTER studies a polar marine biome with research focused on the Antarctic pelagic marine ecosystem, including sea ice habitats, regional oceanography and terrestrial nesting sites of seabird predators. The Palmer LTER is one of more than 26 LTER research sites located throughout the United States, Puerto Rico and Tahiti; each focused on a specific ecosystem, that together constitute the LTER Network.

News from Palmer LTER

Overview of fish and top predator presence and activity patterns in the Palmer Station region. Top predator occupancy patterns are estimated from visual sightings, Palmer Station monthly reports, and literature reviews (caveats are discussed in the text).
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New Paper: Long-term patterns in ecosystem phenology near Palmer Station

Congratulations to Megan Cimino and many other members of the PAL team who just had a new paper published in Ecosphere. Here's a quick snippet... We show that sea ice retreat and increasing photoperiod in the spring trigger a sequence…
A classroom participates in a live video call with researchers in Antarctica
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2023 Virtual Classroom Programs

Click to download the program flyer and VTC schedule. Educators: Sign-up now to join Polar Scientists on a research expedition to Antarctica We are currently recruiting 12-18 educators and their students (grades 5-9) to join the…

The Coolest Office in the World

This year, the ICB blog and BIMS, Black in Marine Science, has been collaborating to highlight scientists from the BIMS organization. We hope this collaboration will further foster connecting a phenomenal network of colleagues in marine…

Scott Doney appointed to WHOTSP

Congratulations to Scott Doney, PAL scientist and co-PI, on his recent appointment to the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy! We look forward to seeing him help advance ocean climate science & policy. htt…

A Captain’s Journey to the Antarctic

In the seas of Antarctica, nothing is assured. The weather is fickle, changing from sunny skies to whiteouts in the blink of an eye. Ice is not just ice—it forms in bergs, floes, pancakes, and sheets, each one distinct from the other. For…
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Antarctic research links warming to fish decline

A long-term study in the Southern Ocean reveals a correlation among warming waters, decreased sea ice and reduced abundance of Antarctic silverfish. These small fish are important prey for penguins, seals and other marine life. The study…

Palmer LTER Resources

The buildings of Palmer station a dusk
PAL Research Groups
Penguins on the beach near Palmer
PAL Datasets
Two people standing in front of a laptop on a stand with glaciers and water behind them
Education & Outreach