UWSP professor conducts polar research

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAU) – A college professor from Stevens Point will spend the next three weeks in Antarctica researching how climate change affects carbon dioxide levels in the soil.

UW-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources professor Dr. Les Werner left Saturday to join 20 other international research scientists and students at a Russian research station on King George Island.

Werner admits his research isn't that revolutionary but will provide a baseline and contribute to the body of knowledge. It will also pave the way for future scientists.

Internal grants will make it possible for Werner to conduct the research. He also credits Jenny Baeseman, a 1998 alumna, with the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists who has made an effort to include UWSP as a collaborating research university.

Temperatures in the Antarctic region are comparable to central Wisconsin since it's summer in the southern Hemisphere. But Werner said he must keep his gear warm and dry because there are few options for drying out wet clothing.

One other challenge researchers face is carrying in and out all of their food and equipment.