
Sixth Sea-slug census a roaring success
The sixth annual sea-slug census was held recently on Lord Howe Island.
The biodiversity on Lord Howe Island is extraordinary!
On this tiny island in the Tasman Sea there are found 240 species of native vascular plants, over 100 moss species; hundreds of thousands of breeding seabirds from fourteen different species; around three to four thousand species of invertebrates (animals without backbones), such as snails, spiders, beetles, stick insects and ants); in the Island streams there are interesting freshwater crustaceans such as a unique shrimp species and a tiny crab Halicarcinus lacustris that is also found in Eastern Australia, New Zealand and Norfolk Island.
Then there is the marine life in the surrounding ocean – the world’s most southerly coral reef, with a great diversity of other creatures living in and on the reef. There are over 500 fish species, around seventy echinoderm species (starfish, urchins and their cousins), hundreds of mollusc species (snails, slugs and bivalves) plus hundreds of other species such as crustaceans, worms, and a myriad of other creatures.
Despite the relatively small land area of 1,463 hectares for the whole of the Lord Howe Island Group, there is an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and a rich array of microhabitats for different species to adapt and evolve.
One of the major contributing factors to Lord Howe Island’s biodiversity is the fact that the Island has mountains rising to 875 metres above sea level, creating some amazing “altitudinal” micro climates, including a unique cool and humid ‘mist forest’ on the mountain peaks.
However, there are many other equally fascinating habitats: the lowlands and hills; the many beaches – both sandy and pebbly; and sheltered, rain-forested valleys surrounded by steep mountain slopes and cliffs.
All habitats exhibit different conditions of sunlight, rainfall, humidity, exposure and soil, thereby influencing the species that can flourish there. Particularly significant, is the 6 degree temperature gradient from sea level to mountain summit providing remarkably varied climatic conditions.
The sixth annual sea-slug census was held recently on Lord Howe Island.
A group of fungus experts visited Lord Howe Island in March, as part of an on-going research project.
Wildlife artist Fiona Lumsden has launched an outstanding poster depicting the birds of Lord Howe Island.
Good News! The outbreak of Myrtle Rust appears to be contained, and parts of the Permanent Park Preserve have been re-opened.