The Selection of Conservation Areas in Antarctica: An Example Using the Arthropod Fauna of Antarctic Islands

Abstract

Four conservation areas in the maritime Antarctic (three Specially Protected Areas and a Site of Special Scientific Interest) are compared with neighbouring islands which have not been awarded similar conservation status. Comparisons are carried out by using the terrestrial arthropod fauna, as opposed to the plant communities. Results indicate that arthropod diversity can vary significantly between localities for samples collected from the same vegetation types, but that within a limited geographical area the diversity of such faunas is similar.