abstract
The impact of the international BIOMASS (Biological Investigations of Marine Antarctic Systems and Stocks) Programme on South African science in the Antarctic is assessed. An analysis was undertaken of refereed papers, reports or theses containing BIOMASS-related research findings, published in indigenous or foreign literature. During the programme’s 16-year existence (January 1975 to September 1991), a total of 163 South African scientists, or their associates, accounted for some 401 publications comprising in excess of 7 500 printed pages. This information was analysed further to assess the productivity of individual South African scientists involved with BIOMASS. Criteria used by the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) to assess new research were applied to further evaluate BIOMASS's effect on the national Antarctic scientific effort. Results indicate that BIOMASS has significantly influenced the direction, extent and impact of recent South African research in the Antarctic, particularly in the marine-life sciences.
