Planning for long-term invertebrate studies – problems, pitfalls and possibilities

Continuity of employment can be a great asset when carrying out long-term studies. This paper describes three investigations that have benefited from a researcher's ability to continue monitoring over extended periods, namely: impact of fire; changes in the environment following mine site restoration; and the possible impact of climate change. Some advice, based on the authors' experience, is provided for researchers who are contemplating initiating long-term studies.