Global change, biodiversity and conservation in terrestrial and coastal ecosystems on Heard and McDonald Islands: population structure and reproductive status of selected marine invertebrates of the littoral zone

Project aim

The location of Heard Island in the isolated southern part of the Indian Ocean makes it an important site for the study of subantarctic marine invertebrates: how they reproduce, how they spread around the subantarctic region, how they react to disturbance and possible future marine pollution. Quantitative surveys will be undertaken for biota on the rocky shores in the vicinity of highest ship traffic. This study will improve our knowledge of the composition of shore biota, and provide baseline knowledge against which to gauge future changes and possible future introduction of ‘pest’ species.