Insect conservation in early succession on islands: lessons from Surtsey, Iceland, and the Krakatau Archipelago, Indonesia

Early successional communities on islands may include specialised aeolian-based pioneer arthropods scavenging on aerial fallout on volcanic lava or ash. Some such species appear to be restricted to such extreme habitats. Persistence of such species may be governed by volcanic activity and their future thus be beyond the control of people. Surveys to determine their presence elsewhere are needed to determine their possible status as refugees in later successional stages, and as a basis for any more informed conservation measures. Insect colonization patterns on Surtsey and Anak Krakatau are briefly reviewed and contrasted to indicate the background to insect community formation on remote islands.