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About

Context
The effects of climate change are already marked on South Georgia, with rapid glacial retreat. In parallel, the island continues to harbour non-native invasive plants and invertebrates, posing a threat to native ecosystems, with some species now so widespread that eradication is impossible.

Objectives
Our project will assess the vulnerability of South Georgia’s unique terrestrial ecosystems to invasive plants and invertebrates that may benefit from climate change.
To do so, we will :
1) Record colonisation of recently deglaciated areas by non-native species.
2) Identify ‘winning’ and ‘losing’ native and non-native plants under simulated warming.
3) Map invasive carabid beetle and native invertebrate distribution and abundance.
4) Identify high-risk potential future invaders from the Falkland Islands.

Impact
This research funded by Darwin plus will generate information that will directly help conservation management on South Georgia in a warming climate.