Eradicating multiple invasive species on inhabited islands: the next big step in island restoration?

• Published in: Biological invasions Vol. 15; no. 12; pp. 2589 - 2603
• Main Authors: Glen, Alistair S., Atkinson, Rachel, Campbell, Karl J., Hagen, Erin, Holmes, Nick D., Keitt, Bradford S., Parkes, John P., Saunders, Alan, Sawyer, John, Torres, Hernán
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.12.2013; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Archipelagoes; Biodiversity; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; case studies; Chile; Conservation biology; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Developmental Biology; Ecology; ecosystems; Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration; Environmental restoration; Feasibility studies; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Health risks; Introduced species; Invasive plants; Invasive species; invertebrates; Islands; Life Sciences; livelihood; Livestock; monitoring; Nonnative species; Parks, reserves, wildlife conservation. Endangered species: population survey and restocking; people; Perpectives and Paradigms; pets; Plant Sciences; risk; vertebrates; Chile; Community support; Social dimensions; Juan Fernández Archipelago; Species interactions; Competitor release; Trophic cascades; Island; Invasive species; Trophic cascade; Ecological recovery; Environmental monitoring; Social aspect; Community; Environmental protection; Interspecific relation
• ISSN: 1387-3547; 1573-1464
• DOI: 10.1007/s10530-013-0495-y

Invasive species are the greatest threat to island ecosystems, which harbour nearly half the world’s endangered biodiversity. However, eradication is more feasible on islands than on continents. We present a global analysis of 1,224 successful eradications of invasive plants and animals on 808 islands. Most involve single vertebrate species on uninhabited islands, but plant and invertebrate eradications occur more often on inhabited islands. Inhabited islands are often highly modified and support numerous introduced species. Consequently, targeting a single invasive species can be ineffective or counterproductive. The impacts of other pests will continue and, in some cases, be exacerbated. The presence of people also creates regulatory, logistical and socio-political constraints. Real or perceived health risks to inhabitants, pets and livestock may restrict the use of some eradication tools, and communities or individuals sometimes oppose eradication. Despite such challenges, managing invasive species is vital to conserve and restore the unique biodiversity of many inhabited islands, and to maintain or improve the welfare and livelihoods of island residents. We present a brief case study of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, Chile, and discuss the feasibility of eradicating large suites of invasive plants and animals from inhabited islands while managing other invaders for which eradication is not feasible or desirable. Eradications must be planned to account for species interactions. Monitoring and contingency plans must detect and address any ‘surprise effects’. Above all, it is important that the local community derives social, cultural and/or economic benefits, and that people support and are engaged in the restoration effort.