By Emma Siossian

ABC Mid North Coast

Topic: Conservation

Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 12:34 pm

Maxim Adams is studying invertebrate numbers on Lord Howe Island.

In short:

A new study shows that invertebrate life on Lord Howe Island has increased since rodents were removed in 2019.

Invertebrates are important for the island's ecosystem.

What's next?

A study will look at how larger predators on the island have been affected.

Lord Howe Island is a special place where cockroaches are welcome.

Invertebrates, including cockroaches, are thriving after the removal of invasive rodents.

These creatures help break down organic matter and provide food for birds and animals.

Maxim Adams says the island is coming to life.

There has been a 60% increase in invertebrates.

A native Lord Howe Island cockroach is one of the species rebounding.

Mr. Adams is studying how invertebrate communities have changed after the eradication of rats and mice.

The team collected specimens from 20 forest sites before and after the eradication program.

Maxim Adams and Nicholas Carlile are working together on Lord Howe Island.

The first study collected about 9,000 specimens, while the second collected 15,000.

Invertebrates play a crucial role in nutrient recycling and fertilizing plants.

Larger invertebrates showed the strongest increases.

Native bush cockroaches have bounced back after the rodent eradication.

These animals are an important food source for native predators.

One species of Lord Howe Island cockroach was thought to be extinct but was rediscovered in 2023.

The rediscovery of the cockroach was a sign that invertebrates were starting to bounce back.

While total invertebrate abundance increased, diversity patterns were mixed.

A new ecosystem is emerging

Lord Howe Island has unique views and a diverse ecosystem.

Previous studies showed that seabirds and native land birds bounced back after the rodent eradication.

The island's ecosystem may not return to its original state.

The ecosystem will reach a new balance, different from before.

The Lord Howe Island woodhen has increased in numbers.

Some invertebrates have become extinct, which is a tragedy.

Maxim Adams is working under Professor Nathan Lo.

Professor Lo says the next step is to study higher-order predators, including geckos.

Nathan Lo is studying the island's predators.

Ian Hutton took Professor Lo to see endemic geckos in the forest.

The geckos were rarely seen before the eradication.

The geckos are eating the large invertebrates that have bounced back.

Work is underway to sequence the DNA of invertebrate samples.

This will provide information about the critters present on the island over the last 10 years.

Lord Howe Island is about 600 kilometers off the coast from Port Macquarie.

Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 12:34 pm

Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 4:10 pm

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