Discovering the mechanisms of environmental change, and using this knowledge to influence policy ─ this is integral to the mission of INSTAAR. While research is conducted across all seven continents and across all disciplines, one of the specialties of INSTAAR is long term ecological research ─ from some of the longest continually-run climate research up on Niwot Ridge to examining the ecosystems of Antarctica’s dry valleys. This long-term research is vital as changes in climate and land use are felt worldwide.