Climate change is warming the Earth, but in southwestern Australia the climate is also drying, changing the duration and extent of suitable habitat for aquatic fauna including freshwater crustaceans. Despite the important roles that macrocrustaceans play in freshwater ecosystems, we know little of the life history characteristics of many endemic fauna in the southwestern Australia biodiversity hotspot. Therefore, this project seeks to characterise the life histories of some endemic crustaceans and potential responses to drying and prolonged dry periods. The species examined include the amphipods Austrochiltonia subtenuis and the isopod Paramphisopus palustris. A combination of laboratory experiments and a field survey were used to examine these responses. Laboratory experiments included drying as well as tolerance experiments. Preliminary results suggest P. palustris is capable of aestivation for short periods but extended dry periods may exceed their capacity to survive. The distribution and abundance of P. palustris and A. subtenuis also appears to have decreased in comparison to historical data, which has concerning implications for long-term persistence as the climate changes. Examining the biology of these species allows a greater understanding of the potential impacts of climate change on these endemic macrocrustaceans and the ecosystem services they provide.