DNA of Tiny Antarctic Creatures Could Unlock Secrets of Rising Seas
“Biological data provides fresh insights where traditional geological evidence is limited.”
— Lead author Richard Jones, Monash University
Researchers from Monash University (Australia) and the United States have found that analyzing the DNA of tiny Antarctic land animals offers a powerful new way to predict how the continent will affect global sea levels.
The key insight lies in the genetic makeup of these creatures. When similar DNA is found in species living far apart, it suggests that the ice between them once melted, creating a temporary corridor for breeding. Conversely, DNA differences indicate a long-term separation by permanent ice walls.
Published in the journal One Earth, the study proposes using these biological markers where traditional geological evidence is scarce. SAEF Director Professor Steven Chown noted that the team aims to “look for animals in locations currently separated by uninhabitable ice.”
Why this matters now: Australia's 2025 National Climate Risk Assessment warns that sea-level rise could expose over 1.5 million people in Australian coastal areas to extreme flooding by 2050. By identifying which Antarctic regions have experienced past ice retreat, scientists can better forecast future changes.
“Similar DNA in distant species suggests the ice between them melted in the past.”
The study pinpoints key Antarctic areas for biological surveys, offering a fresh, data-driven path to understanding one of the planet’s most critical climate unknowns.