The supralittoral zone on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia is
marked by tidal debris and lichens similar to those on temperate shor
es and, uniquely at the site studied, accumulations of whalebone. All
substrata are inhabited by mites which form a common but distinctly su
pralittoral community. The possible effects of some factors associated
with these substrata, inclusing microclimate parameters, nutrient ava
ilability and mechanical stability are related to acarine diversity an
d density.