Rephotography, permanent plots and remote sensing data provide varying insights on vegetation change on subantarctic Macquarie Island, 1980–2015

A comprehensive analysis of vegetation change on Macquarie Island from 1980 to 2015 reveals that rephotography provides the most effective method for detecting spatial and temporal patterns of overall vegetation change, particularly in response to rabbit population dynamics. The study found stability in Acaena herbfield despite reduced disturbance, an increase in Pleurophyllum hookeri cover, and a rise in short grassland vegetation, while Azorella macquariensis cover remained constant. Although long-term plot data were less consistent with rephotography findings and more resource-intensive, sporadically available remote sensing data effectively monitored ground revegetation/devegetation but failed to detect other changes. The research highlights the importance of combining multiple monitoring approaches to accurately assess vegetation dynamics in subantarctic ecosystems.

Fitzgerald, N. B., Kirkpatrick, J. B., & Scott, J. J. (2021). Rephotography, permanent plots and remote sensing data provide varying insights on vegetation change on subantarctic Macquarie Island, 1980–2015. Austral Ecology, 46(5), 762–775. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.13015