Life at the front: history, ecology and change on southern ocean islands

• Published in: Trends in Ecology & Evolution
• Main Authors: Bergstrom, D. M., Chown, S. L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Science 1999
• Subjects: Ecology; Evolutionary Biology; Genetics & Heredity; Sub-antarctic Islands; Biogeography; Vegetation; Climate; Impact; Mice; 270703 Terrestrial Ecology; C1; 771103 Living resources (flora and fauna); 0501 Ecological Applications; 0502 Environmental Science and Management; 0602 Ecology; Antarctic; Southern Ocean; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:143426

Terrestrial ecosystems of southern ocean islands have enjoyed renewed attention recently owing to the discovery that their climates are changing dramatically. This has led to an enhanced understanding of the biogeography of this region, and an increased awareness that these ecosystems provide unrivalled opportunities For investigating the impacts of environmental change on interactions between invasive and indigenous species. Recent studies have revealed increases in the abundance of established alien species and in the strength of their negative impacts on local biota, especially through indirect interactions. Also, increases in island temperature and human visitor frequency are likely to result in increasing numbers of successful alien colonization events.