Invasive species threatening wildlife of South Georgia

The six researchers from Buglife and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew will be braving some of the roughest seas in the South Atlantic to hunt for invasive invertebrates and plants on the island.

Mid summer -5oC
It is mid-summer on South Georgia yet temperatures can drop to -5oC with 100kph winds straight off the glaciers and snow falls regularly. The other wildlife of the island will add to the challenges of the six-week expedition. Fur seals are particularly aggressive as the bulls defend their breeding territories, while gulls and skuas have been known to try to steal scientific equipment.

Buglife entomologist Roger Key has spent the past three months designing special equipment to cope with the harsh conditions - including a vacuum cleaner designed to suck up and trap alien insect species, and a storm-proof ‘Berlese extractor' made from flower pots, plastic funnels and garden netting.

Invasive species threat
Invasive species are now the single greatest threat to biodiversity in the South Atlantic Territories, and the project will determine for the first time what impact this is having on South Georgia's vulnerable native species. Alien species have been brought to South Georgia by everyone from 19th century whalers to current day cruise-ship tourists.

Glacier retreat
The expedition will also aid understanding of how climate change is affecting the plants and animals of South Georgia. Glaciers on the island are retreating rapidly, making it easier for alien species to colonise new parts of the island, once cut off by the glaciers themselves.

Colin Clubbe, who heads up RBG Kew's Overseas Territories Programme, says, "This survey is a vital first step in helping to ensure the future of South Georgia's flora and the animal and insect life it supports. If the island's icy climate warms it could give invasives the chance to spread rapidly, to the detriment of South Georgia's native wildlife."

The project is part of the RSPB's South Atlantic Invasive Species project, aimed at reducing the impact of invasive species in the South Atlantic UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs), and is funded by the European Commission through EDF-9.

Nore about Buglife and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew