Statistical models of invertebrate distribution on Macquarie Island : a tool to assess climate change and local human impacts

Sub-Antarctic islands are good model systems in which to study the ecological effects of human impacts, particularly global climate change and alien species. Invertebrates form a central component of these ecosystems. We conducted a stratified survey of 69 sites on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Polar biology 1999-03, Vol.21 (4), p.240-250
Main Authors: DAVIES, K. F, MELBOURNE, B. A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Altitude
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biodiversity
Biogeography
Biological and medical sciences
Biota
Climate change
Climate effects
Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife
Ecological effects
Environmental assessment
Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Global climate
Human influences
Introduced species
Invertebrates
Nonnative species
Ordination
Species composition
Statistical models
Vegetation
Wind speed
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Summary:Sub-Antarctic islands are good model systems in which to study the ecological effects of human impacts, particularly global climate change and alien species. Invertebrates form a central component of these ecosystems. We conducted a stratified survey of 69 sites on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island and used logistic regression models to describe the distribution of 14 abundant invertebrate species. We also developed a statistical model of windspeed based on topography. The distributions of individual species were described by different combinations of aspect, altitude and vegetation type. Ordination of sites based on species composition showed strong effects of altitude and vegetation on invertebrate assemblages. The species distribution models provide a tool for detecting, monitoring and predicting effects of climate change and alien species on biota and ecosystem processes.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0722-4060
1432-2056
DOI:10.1007/s003000050359