Systems Ecology of Marion and Prince Edward Islands

Marion and Prince Edward Islands are typical sub-Antarctic islands with a lot to offer in terms of biological and ecological research. Since they are truly oceanic islands, isolated from the continents and are very young, their biota is impoverished and their ecosystems relatively simple and easy to study. They are also relatively unaffected by factors such as pollution, agriculture and industry, and hence offer a wonderful opportunity to carry out studies of how a “natural” ecosystem functions. They have often been referred to as ideal “ecological laboratories”. Most importantly, they are fun to visit and work on –many young biologists that have done so and they all attest to this.

Currently, the systems ecology work being carried out on Marion Island aims at a biological and physico-chemical characterization of the islands freshwater bodies, the quantification of carbon exchange processes in the terrestrial system, and the establishment of a whole-island model of energy flow and nutrient cycling. If the latter aim is successful, it will result in the first energy and nutrient budget for an entire terrestrial ecosystem – something that ecologists have striven for over many years.

The project has positions for two young biologists, at the level of B.Sc. Honours or M.Sc. The work involves characterising the altitudinal and across-habitat variations in soil and plant chemical composition and also in plant biomass. The methodology is established and proven to work well at the islands. At the Honours level, the student will visit the island for a month in April and carry out the laboratory work back in Stellenbosch during the second part of the year. There is good potential that the work can develop into an M.Sc. or Ph.D. project.

Systems Ecology of Marion and Prince Edward Islands

Supervisor: Prof. Valdon Smith