Restoration of threatened plant species Calystegia affinis
This species is endemic to Norfolk and Lord Howe Island. Just four locations are know on Lord Howe Island. One location near the settlement area is heavily infested with introduced Kikuyu grass. This research project is to trial limited careful spraying with herbicide to ascertain if this is of benefit to Calystegia affinis. If so a larger area will be given restoration treatment by Friends of Lord Howe Island in winter 2007.
 

Surveys of endangered snail Placostylus bivaricosus
This large snail, up to 7cm long was once widespread across Lord Howe Island. Predation by introduced rats (Rattus rattus) in 1918, plus European Blackbirds (Turdus merula) and Thrushes (Turdus philomelos) around 1950, has reduced snail numbers considerably. Surveys are being undertaken at various locations on wet nights when snails are active on the surface leaf litter. A captive breeding program is also in place, with some success at snails laying eggs and hatching.
 

Age distribution of Big Mountain Palm (Hedyscepe canterburyana) and Little Mountain Palm (Lepidorrachis mooreana) on the summit of Mount Gower.
Surveys across the summit to determine age distribution of two endemic palms is being investigated to quantify the effect of seed predation by introduced rats (Rattus rattus). Seed predation by rats is also being measured