The goal of the vERSO project is to assess the impact of the main stressors driven by global change

on benthic Antarctic ecosystems using an integrated multiscale approach including

representative taxa from different size classes of the benthos. Two principal regions with current

contrasting impacts of global change will be considered, namely the Western Antarctic Peninsula

and Terre Adélie. To reach this goal, research on connectivity and adaptation, trophic ecology and

sensitivity and resilience will be conducted and integrated using ground-proofed predictive models.

vERSO integrates into the new SCAR Scientific Research Programs (SRPs – AntERA and

AntECO) and will contribute data, models and advises to science policy interfaces, committees,

treaties and protocols to which Belgium is committed, such as the ATCM Committee on Environment

Protection (ATCM CEP), the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living

Resources (CCAMLR), or the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) together with direct contributions

to the new Antarctic Environments Portal initiative.