The Sub-Antarctic Beagle Channel marine ecosystem: A regional and comprehensive sentinel of global change

Abstract

This special issue merges results obtained during a scientific expedition along the eastern Beagle Channel (BC) with previously available relevant data from the area. The expedition was conducted from 9 to 19 November 2019 on board the BIPO “Victor Angelescu”, a research vessel belonging to the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP-Argentina). The cruise was the result of collaborative bi-national (Chile-Argentina) diplomatic (Argentinian and Chilean Ministries of Foreign Affairs) and scientific efforts, led by the Austral Center for Scientific Research (CADIC-Argentina) and the Research Center: Dynamics of High Latitude Marine Ecosystems (IDEAL-Chile). In addition, this special issue is enriched with historical data from several research initiatives developed by both countries in the BC area and from other international collaborations, thereby providing a wider and comprehensive vision of the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the BC. From a historical point of view, both countries, which share the third longest international border of5,300 km, almost engaged in war in 1979 due to a border conflict in the southeastern BC. This war was averted and subsequently there have been decades of tight and close collaborations and friendly diplomatic, scientific, and social relationships. This special issue reflects these efforts.