The scarcity of kinds-the richness in endemic forms in particular classes or section of classes, – the absence of whole group, as of batrachians, and of terrestrial mammals notwithstanding the presence of aerial bats, – the single proportions of certain orders of plants, – herbaceous forms having developed into trees,- seem to me to accord better with the view of occasional means of transport having been largely efficient in the long course of time, than with the view of all our oceanic islands having been formerly connected by contiguous land with the nearest continent (Darwin, 1859).In terms of biodiversity, the issue is clearer: islands boast a truly unique assemblage of life. Species become island dwellers either by drifting on islands, like castaways, as they break off from larger landmasses (in the case of continental islands) or by dispersing across the ocean to islands newly emerged from the ocean floor (oceanic islands). Henceforth they are confined to small, isolated areas located some distance from other large landmasses. Over time, this isolation exerts unique evolutionary forces that result in the development of a distinct genetic reservoir and the emergence of highly specialized species with entirely new characteristics and the occurrence of different adaptations. The legacy of a unique evolutionary history, many island species are endemic found nowhere else on Earth. Islands harbour higher concentrations of endemic species than do continents, and the number and proportion of endemics rises with increasing isolation, island size and topographic variety. It has often been remarked that islands make a contribution to global biodiversity that is out of proportion to their land area. In this sense, they can be thought of collectively as biodiversity hot spots, containing some of the richest reservoirs of plants and animals on Earth (CBD, 2007) Indonesia has already lost some of its biodiversity through human activity, and forests have become fragmented through expansion of agriculture and housing. Research has been conducted into the effects of fragmentation on biodiversity using insects as an indicator (Hunter 2000; Gonzalez 2000). PEKA Indonesia has been conducting research on Island Biogeography since 2003, in Thousand Island Sanctuary (Northern Sea of Jakarta Bay), Java. The Thousand Island Sanctuary is proposed as a research location because it represents tropical islands with varying land use patterns. Several islands of the Sanctuary have been dramatically modified and used for human habitation and tourism, which brings new threats for many of their native species (some of which may be endemic). Previous surveys indicated that human activities have aided the distribution of invasive alien ant species Anoplolepis gracilipes and Solenopsis geminata in several small islands of Kepulauan Seribu Sanctuary, which can be a threat to the endemic local ant populations (Rizali, 2006).The Highlights of PEKA Indonesia research on Island Biogeography: 1. PREVIOUS RESEARCH Species Richness and Structure of Ant Communities in Small Tropical Islands: Effect of Area, Island isolation, Land Use, and presence of Boat Docks. (Akhmad Rizali) This research was conducted to study species richness and community structure of ant on small island. Eighteen islands differing in area, isolation from the mainland, land use history, and the presence of boat docks were selected to study these effects on species richness and the stucture of ant communites. Island characteristics were measured with geographical information system (GIS). Ant sampling was conducted using intensive collecting in 5m x 5m plots established in representative habitats. Species accumulation curves in combination with techniques extrapolating the total expected species richness were used to estimate the completeness of species inventories. Non-metric multidimentional scaling analysis (MDS) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) were used to study relationship between ant and island characteristics. Over 48 species from subfamilies and 28 genera were recorded from all islands. While the species accumulation curve from all islands reached saturation, the curves for some islands indicated that still not all species were recorded by the sampling. MDS showed that island characteristic tend to influence species composition. Similarly, based on CCA, the occurrence of certain species was highly related to island characteristics. A total of 8 cryptic and 3 exotic invasive species were recorded. Most of these are widespread within the archipelago. The presence of nearly all cryptic species was strongly influenced by island isolation and land use. These species have a high potential as indicators for land use change. Furthermore, the occurrence of invasive ant species was related to the occurrence of docks, and their presence seemed ta have impact to ant diversity on the islands. Human-induces habitat modification on islands were identified as the main factor for the occurrence and distribution of tramp species within Seribu islands. Intensive and varied collecting methods are effective for characterizing ant species richness on islands. Ant diversity in Seribu Islands was affected by several island characteristics including area, isolation, land use, and the occurrence of docks on islands. Combination of all island characteristics were highly related to ant diversity in Seribu Islands. Highly disturbed habitats on islands in Seribu Islands made certain species disappear 2. ON-GOING RESEARCH Invasive Alien Ants in Small Island of Kepulauan Seribu Sanctuary- Indonesia: Its Possible Impact Toward Local Ant Communities.  (Akhmad Rizali) Alien invasive ant species are major threats to indigene and endemic ant species for small islands such as in Seribu Islands. The main objective of this project is to quantify to which extent invasive ant populations is affecting native ant communities that may be endangered and endemic. The study will clarify how much species are native and endemic, and how much are introduced and invasive. Ecological observation will be conducted in three different islands representing three conditions: highly populated island, unique bird island, and unexplored island. Ants will be surveyed by pitfall traps and intensive collecting method in plots. All information gained from the project will be used to develop conservation strategies of local species in the protected area. 3. POTENTIAL RESEARCH STUDY OF ECOLOGICAL RESILIENCE OF BEETLE DIVERSITY IN TROPICAL ISLANDS IN THE FACE OF HUMAN ACTIVITIES: A CASE STUDY FROM THOUSAND ISLANDS SANCTUARY INDONESIA (Shinta Puspitasari) The Thousand Island Sanctuary, North Coast Jakarta Bay, is proposed as a research location because it represents tropical islands with varying land use patterns. Diversity of invertebrate communities will be analysed in a set of different islands, which are characterized by differing degrees of anthropogenic influence. Pitfall and light traps as well as sweep netting will be used to generate samples of ground beetles and other suitable arthropod taxa to be decided on in the first week of sampling (i.e. taxa which are commonly encountered in large numbers and comparatively easy to identify). These samples will be a basis for the analysis how anthropogenic disturbance as well as island size and isolation influence the diversity and composition of arthropod communities. In addition, a basic set of environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, and vegetation structures) will be recorded during the sampling to analyze potential links between these factors and arthropod species compositions.