BELDIVA is a microbiology research project that explores the diversity of microscopic life in East Antarctica. The project focuses on identifying and documenting microbial communities within a 200-kilometre radius of Princess Elisabeth Antarctica and monitoring how these communities may change over time as a result of environmental change and human activities.

The project studies a wide range of microorganisms, including cyanobacteria, green algae, bacteria, lichens and mosses. Together, these organisms form the foundation of Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems, carrying out essential processes such as photosynthesis and providing a food source for other organisms living in these extreme environments.

By collecting and analysing biological samples from the Queen Maud Land region, researchers aim to build a comprehensive inventory of the area's microbial diversity. The project also investigates the biological history of the region and provides a baseline for detecting future changes in biodiversity driven by climate change or increasing human presence in Antarctica.

BELDIVA is an international collaboration involving several research institutions from Belgium and abroad, bringing together expertise in microbiology, botany, ecology and Antarctic environmental research to improve our understanding of one of the world's most unique and least explored ecosystems.