Campbell Island Bicentennial Expedition
The Campbell Island Bicentenary Expedition, coordinated by EOS Ecology, marked a historic milestone as the largest multidisciplinary research endeavour on this remote subantarctic island in more than 30 years. Coordinating closely with the Department of Conservation and the Royal New Zealand Navy, we assembled a team of experts in freshwater ecology, terrestrial ecology, archaeology, and social science to fulfil a shared vision of discovery. The expedition’s planning involved seamless coordination across agencies, balancing complex logistics for travel, gear transport, and on-island support—an impressive feat of teamwork under challenging conditions.
Uncovering Campbell Island’s Freshwater Biodiversity
Throughout the expedition’s 11-week duration, our freshwater ecology team led the first comprehensive study of Campbell Island’s streams and tarns. This rigorous study involved habitat assessments, extensive sampling of invertebrates, periphyton, water quality and sediment, all conducted in a challenging subantarctic environment. Back on the mainland our invertebrate processing work and development of taxonomic identification keys has increased the known freshwater fauna from 13 to over 50 taxa, many of which are newly recorded or newly discovered species. These findings provide essential baseline data for ongoing island management, supporting the Department of Conservation’s goals under the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy.
Bringing Campbell Island’s Ecology to the Public
Public engagement was a core element of the expedition, bringing New Zealanders closer to the unique ecosystems of Campbell Island. Using satellite communications, EOS Ecology provided regular updates via social media, live radio, and news interviews, offering real-time glimpses into life on the island. This outreach effort highlighted Campbell Island’s scientific and ecological significance, fostering public awareness of the rare species and habitats the expedition aimed to protect.
Contributing to National Collections and Global Conservation
The knowledge gained through this expedition enriched New Zealand’s national collections, with new invertebrate specimens added to Te Papa’s archives. Beyond national interests, the data also provided fresh insights into global island biogeography, underscoring the importance of preserving the unique biodiversity of isolated ecosystems like Campbell Island. This research not only advances New Zealand’s conservation efforts but also contributes to a broader understanding of the ecological value of remote islands, inspiring future protection and research for generations to come.
