Physiological tolerances as determinants and predictors of abundance and community structure in insect assemblages

Project aim

This project focuses on insects, the ecologically dominant group of terrestrial animals on sub-Antarctic islands in general, and Heard Island in particular. Although at least 10 insect species are indigenous to Heard Island, the biology of these species, their abundance (or rarity), and their conservation status, especially in the face of current rapid climate change at the island, are poorly known. In particular it is not clear what limits their occurrence on the island, nor whether they are likely to be positively or negatively affected by rapid climate change. This is especially important because the majority of these insect species are restricted to just two sub-Antarctic islands, and Heard is the only one free of predatory alien species that generally pose a threat to these insects. The aim of this project is to address these issues by providing relevant information on the biology and abundance of these species, and their likely response to climate change, and to provide information that can be used for the conservation management of these animals should this be necessary.