An Achilles heel of many ecological experiments is the short time period over which they are conducted. Two, three, and five-year experiments are typical. Ecological patterns and interactions cannot always be fully understood with data collected within these time constraints. A unique aspect of the Wog Wog Fragmentation Experiment is that it is one of a handful of ecological studies in the World that has run for more than 20 years.

The experiment was established in 1984. At this time the fragments were located in continuous Eucalypt forest (See http://www.australianforests.org.au/australiasforests/forest-types-eucalypt.htm). In 1987 the Eucalypt forest surrounding the fragments was clear-cut and replanted with Pinus radiata (Monterray pine, See http://www.conifers.org/pi/pin/radiata.htm). The Monterray pine is essentially an invasive species in Australia. Unlike the Eucalyptus trees, Pine trees tend to have a closed canopy thereby limiting the amount of sunlight that reaches the ground. The result of this is that few understory plant species inhabit pine-dominated forests. Pine needles also produce thick mulch on top of underlying surrounding soil. A result of this is that soil pH decreases (becomes more acidic) to the point that few plant species can survive in soils dominated by Pine trees.

The experimental design involves the placement of pitfall traps within each fragment. This is a method to collect ground-dwelling insects. Pitfall traps are basically cups that have been placed in the ground deep enough such that the rim of the cup is level with the soil. A small amount of solution is then placed into each cup. The idea is that any insects that fall into the cup will be immobilized and preserved until they can be collected. For the purposes of our experiment, the traps will be left open for a week. To date, 655 species of beetles, and 50 species of ants, had been captured in the Wog Wog fragments using this technique.

The collected insect data allows for the investigation of a number of questions. Included are: How do insect populations at Wog Wog respond to invasive plants?, Are some insect species more likely to go extinct in the presence of Pine trees when compared to Eucalyptus trees?, Are there long-term fluctuations in response patterns of resident insects?, and What influences how the insect communities within the Eucalyptus and Pine trees is assembled?

These are big questions, and the answers are not yet known. The next few years should see us inch closer to a better understanding of this ecosystem. Stay tuned.