Dr David Barnes, a marine zoologist at the British Antarctic Survey, has recently reviewed the scientific reports produced by Scott’s expedition. There are 25 volumes about Antarctica’s zoology, alongside its meteorology, glaciology, magnetic conditions and environment. He says:

“The great thing about this data is that it comes from a century ago. There have been two big phases of climate warming – one is now and one was between 1910 and 1945 – so if we could choose when we would like to have historic data, these reports are exactly what we’d pick. We can compare growth rates of marine animals 100 years ago to how the same species is now. We can also use the old specimens to peer back into the 19th Century. I’m looking at 20 or so species in my research, and six or seven of them are recorded here in Scott’s work. The descriptions have stood the test of time.”