Studying the living diversity of the Antarctic, which has been kept isolated from other continents by the Southern Oceans, is paramount to understand how physical processes and environmental changes affect biological communities.

         The ultimate separation of Antarctica from South America happened during the Oligocene (ca. 35 mya), and was responsible for the Antarctic isolation, northward flow of the AABW, formation of the Southern Ocean, and existence of numerous unique geological processes observed along the northern end of the Antarctic Peninsula (e.g. an active spreading centre in the Bransfield Strait, ridge trench collision and gas hydrates on modern sediments). The combination of isolation and climate change has lead to an Antarctic biota rich in endemic taxa, and a strong contrast between marine, terrestrial, and limnetic biotas. Studying the effect of climate change and anthropogenic influences to the Antarctic environment is critical for assessing the evolution and current status of biological community structures in Antarctica, and their connexions with the biota outside the polar front. How isolated Antarctica actually is?

         The international symposium on ‘Antarctic-South American Interactions in the Marine Environment’ aims to provide a forum where the scientific community will have the chance to debate this issue, besides gathering results from both continents in their latest academic efforts. The symposium expects the attendance of scientific and non-scientific delegates with diverse background, including undergraduate and graduate students, post-graduates, researchers, general public, and government representatives.