Dr Charles von der Meden will present the Department of Biological Sciences seminar with a talk entitled, "Sub-Antarctic benthos through the lens: long-term change and habitat associations"

Starting in 2013, the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) has, in collaboration with the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University and the Dept. Environmental Affairs, developed a program of deep sea photographic and video sampling at the sub-Antarctic Prince Edward Islands.  Working across a depth range of 50 – 600 m, the program has focused on leveraging technology and historical sampling to investigate long-term change, biogenic habitats and habitat associations of key taxa, as well as methodological questions. The seminar provides an overview of the program and its findings to date, highlighting the stunning creatures and habitats of the area, and introduces some of the cross-cutting applications of the camera work.