1
|
English J, Barry KE, Wood EM, Wright AJ. The effect of urban environments on the diversity of plants in unmanaged grasslands in Los Angeles, United States. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.921472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is a strong driver of plant diversity and may have complex effects on developed ecosystems. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether urban environments increase or decrease plant biodiversity compared with rural environments. Further, it is also unclear how non-native plant species contribute to spatial diversity patterns and ecosystem services. Better understanding these diversity drivers across gradients of urbanization has the potential to enhance native species conservation (e.g., targeted restoration activities), leading to positive feedbacks for broader promotion of biodiversity and societal benefits (e.g., links with native biodiversity and human health). In this study, we hypothesized that for plant species in unmanaged grasslands, urbanization would lead to declines in diversity at both small and medium scales. We established a network of remnant grassland sites across an urban to rural gradient in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Across this gradient we assessed patterns of alpha and beta diversity during the 2019 growing season. We found that local plant alpha diversity in remnant grasslands declined in urban landscapes (measured by surrounding percent development) due mostly to loss of native species. However, at intermediate scales across unmanaged parks and greenspaces, we saw increases in beta diversity at more urban locations. This was possibly due to the patchy dominance of different exotic species at urban locations; whereas, in rural locations non-native and native species were common across plots. Conservation is often informed by examinations of large scale, city-wide assessment of diversity, however, our results show that urban plant diversity, particularly native species, is affected at all spatial scales and beta-diversity can add important insights into how to manage urban ecosystems. Conservation that accounts for alpha and beta diversity may promote “virtuous cycle” frameworks where the promotion and protection of biodiversity simultaneously reduces the negative effects of invasion.
Collapse
|
2
|
Thomson DM, McEachern AK, Schultz EL, Niessen K, Wilken D, Chess K, Cole LF, Oliver RY, Phillips JD, Tucker A. Diverse native island flora shows rapid initial passive recovery after exotic herbivore removal on Santa Rosa Island, California. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02735-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
3
|
Capó M, Cursach J, Picorelli V, Baraza E, Rita J. Eradication of feral goats, not population control, as a strategy to conserve plant communities on Mediterranean islets. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
4
|
Bolas EC, Sollmann R, Crooks KR, Boydston EE, Shaskey L, Boser CL, Dillon A, Van Vuren DH. Role of microhabitat and temporal activity in facilitating coexistence of endemic carnivores on the California Channel Islands. J Mammal 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyab125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Most extinctions worldwide have occurred on islands, primarily due to interactions with exotic species, but rarely due to interactions among endemic species. This potential exists on two of the California Channel Islands, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa, as endemic island spotted skunks (Spilogale gracilis amphiala) appear to have rapidly declined to rarity, possibly due to interference competition with endemic island foxes (Urocyon littoralis). Niche partitioning is expected in response to interference competition; hence, it is surprising that skunks and foxes show extensive overlap in macrohabitat use and circadian activity. However, the role of microhabitat associations and fine-scale temporal activity in facilitating coexistence of the two species has not been explored. We evaluated microhabitat associations of island spotted skunks and island foxes across both islands using data from live traps and wildlife cameras collected during 2015–2017, and we analyzed fine-scale temporal activity using camera data from 2016 and 2017. On both islands, skunks had a positive response to ground-level cover provided by rugged topography or woody vegetation such as shrubs or trees, whereas foxes had a weak or negative response, suggesting partitioning of these microhabitat characteristics. Additionally, on both islands the peak in timing of skunk activity offset the peak for foxes, which implies that skunks use fine-scale adjustments in activity to avoid foxes. Past grazing by exotic herbivores likely reduced habitat refuges for skunks; however, as vegetation on both islands recovers, regrowth of shrubs and trees may provide cover that will improve prospects for coexistence of island spotted skunks and island foxes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen C Bolas
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Rahel Sollmann
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kevin R Crooks
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 115 Wagar, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | - Laura Shaskey
- Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA, USA
| | | | - Adam Dillon
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University, 115 Wagar, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Dirk H Van Vuren
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Do Invasive Mammal Eradications from Islands Support Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation? CLIMATE 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/cli9120172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Climate change represents a planetary emergency that is exacerbating the loss of native biodiversity. In response, efforts promoting climate change adaptation strategies that improve ecosystem resilience and/or mitigate climate impacts are paramount. Invasive Alien Species are a key threat to islands globally, where strategies such as preventing establishment (biosecurity), and eradication, especially invasive mammals, have proven effective for reducing native biodiversity loss and can also advance ecosystem resilience and create refugia for native species at risk from climate change. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that successful eradications may also contribute to mitigating climate change. Given the cross-sector potential for eradications to reduce climate impacts alongside native biodiversity conservation, we sought to understand when conservation managers and funders explicitly sought to use or fund the eradication of invasive mammals from islands to achieve positive climate outcomes. To provide context, we first summarized available literature of the synergistic relationship between invasive species and climate change, including case studies where invasive mammal eradications served to meet climate adaptation or mitigation solutions. Second, we conducted a systematic review of the literature and eradication-related conference proceedings to identify when these synergistic effects of climate and invasive species were explicitly addressed through eradication practices. Third, we reviewed projects from four large funding entities known to support climate change solutions and/or native biodiversity conservation efforts and identified when eradications were funded in a climate change context. The combined results of our case study summary paired with systematic reviews found that, although eradicating invasive mammals from islands is an effective climate adaptation strategy, island eradications are poorly represented within the climate change adaptation and mitigation funding framework. We believe this is a lost opportunity and encourage eradication practitioners and funders of climate change adaptation to leverage this extremely effective nature-based tool into positive conservation and climate resilience solutions.
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen J, Liu L, Dyck M, Lv J, He H. Mapping the scientific research on natural landscape change with rephotography. ECOL INFORM 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoinf.2021.101387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
7
|
Trumbo DR, Funk WC, Pauly GB, Robertson JM. Conservation genetics of an island-endemic lizard: low Ne and the critical role of intermediate temperatures for genetic connectivity. CONSERV GENET 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-021-01362-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
|
8
|
Cuevas MF, Campos CM, Ojeda RA, Jaksic FM. Vegetation recovery after 11 years of wild boar exclusion in the Monte Desert, Argentina. Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02206-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
9
|
Naughton I, Boser C, Tsutsui ND, Holway DA. Direct evidence of native ant displacement by the Argentine ant in island ecosystems. Biol Invasions 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-019-02121-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
10
|
Summers R, Masukawa J, Hartman BD. The Influence of Slope on Vegetation Recovery Following Nonnative Grazer Removal on Santa Rosa Island, California. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2018. [DOI: 10.3398/064.078.0418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Summers
- Environmental Science and Resource Management Program, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
| | - Jamie Masukawa
- Environmental Science and Resource Management Program, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
| | - Brett D. Hartman
- Environmental Science and Resource Management Program, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Woolsey J, Hanna C, Mceachern K, Anderson S, Hartman BD. Regeneration and Expansion of Quercus tomentella (Island Oak) Groves on Santa Rosa Island. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2018. [DOI: 10.3398/064.078.0415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jay Woolsey
- Environmental Science and Resource Management Program, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
| | - Cause Hanna
- Santa Rosa Island Research Station, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
| | - Kathryn Mceachern
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Channel Islands Field Station, Ventura, CA
| | - Sean Anderson
- Environmental Science and Resource Management Program, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
| | - Brett D. Hartman
- Environmental Science and Resource Management Program, CSU Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Riley L, McGlaughlin ME, Helenurm K. Limited Genetic Variability in Native Buckwheats (Eriogonum: Polygonaceae) on San Clemente Island. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2018. [DOI: 10.3398/064.078.0413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Riley
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069
| | | | - Kaius Helenurm
- Department of Biology, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Hoyer W, Knapp J, Knapp D, Mazurkiewicz D, Owen K, Luna-Mendoza L, Mceachern K. Islas de las Californias, Colaboración Botánica: Islands of the Californias Botanical Collaborative. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2018. [DOI: 10.3398/064.078.0428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- William Hoyer
- Naval Base Ventura County, ENV Division, 311 Main Road, Point Mugu, CA 93042
| | | | - Denise Knapp
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Rd., Santa Barbara, CA 93105
| | | | - Ken Owen
- Channel Islands Restoration, 928 Carpinteria St. #3, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
| | | | - Kathryn Mceachern
- U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center, Channel Islands Field Station
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Randall JM, Mceachern K, Knapp J, Power P, Junak S, Gill K, Knapp D, Guilliams M. Informing Our Successors: What Botanical Information for Santa Cruz Island will Researchers and Conservation Managers in the Century Ahead Need the Most? WEST N AM NATURALIST 2018. [DOI: 10.3398/064.078.0427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John M. Randall
- The Nature Conservancy, California Chapter, 201 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
| | - Kathryn Mceachern
- U.S. Geological Survey, WERC, Channel Islands Field Station, 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001
| | - John Knapp
- The Nature Conservancy, California Chapter, 201 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
| | - Paula Power
- National Park Service, Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001
| | - Steve Junak
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
| | - Kristina Gill
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
| | - Denise Knapp
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
| | - Matt Guilliams
- Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, 1212 Mission Canyon Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Morrison SA, Sillett TS, Funk WC, Ghalambor CK, Rick TC. California Island Rediscovery: Building an Archive to Improve Conservation Today and Equip the Historical Ecologist of Tomorrow. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2018. [DOI: 10.3398/064.078.0423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Scott A. Morrison
- The Nature Conservancy, 201 Mission St., 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105
| | - T. Scott Sillett
- Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, MRC 5503, Washington, DC 20013
| | - W. Chris Funk
- Department of Biology and Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Cameron K. Ghalambor
- Department of Biology and Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Torben C. Rick
- Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Boser CL, Sillett TS, Collins PW, Faulkner KR, Funk WC, Ghalambor CK, Laughrin L, Pauly GB, Robertson JM, Shea R, Vickers W. Equipping Tomorrow's Historical Ecologist: Priorities for Documenting Conditions of the Terrestrial Fauna of Santa Cruz Island, California. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2018. [DOI: 10.3398/064.078.0426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - T. Scott Sillett
- Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Washington, DC 20013
| | - Paul W. Collins
- Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
| | | | - W. Chris Funk
- Department of Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Cameron K. Ghalambor
- Department of Biology, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523
| | - Lyndal Laughrin
- University of California Natural Reserve System, UCSB, Santa Barbara, CA 93106
| | - Gregory B. Pauly
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA 90007
| | | | - Robyn Shea
- California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA 93012
| | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Pesendorfer MB, Sillett TS, Morrison SA. Spatially biased dispersal of acorns by a scatter-hoarding corvid may accelerate passive restoration of oak habitat on California's largest island. Curr Zool 2018; 63:363-367. [PMID: 29491996 PMCID: PMC5804183 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Scatter hoarding by corvids (crows, jays, magpies, and nutcrackers) provides seed dispersal for many large-seeded plants, including oaks and pines. When hoarding seeds, corvids often choose nonrandom locations throughout the landscape, resulting in differential survival of seeds. In the context of habitat restoration, such disproportional storing of seeds in areas suitable for germination and establishment can accelerate expansion and recovery of large-seeded tree populations and their associated ecosystems. Here, we investigate the spatial preferences of island scrub jays Aphelocoma insularis during scatter hoarding of acorns (Quercus spp.) on Santa Cruz Island. We use a large behavioral data set on the birds’ behavior in combination with seedling surveys and spatial analysis to determine whether 1) island scrub jays disproportionally cache seeds in specific habitat types, and 2) whether the preferred habitat type is suitable for oak regeneration. Our results show that the jays nonrandomly cache acorns across the landscape; they use chaparral and coastal sage scrub disproportionally while avoiding open and grassy areas. The areas used most often for caching were also the areas with the highest oak seedling densities. We discuss the potential role of these findings for the recovery of Santa Cruz Island’s oak habitat since the 1980s.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mario B Pesendorfer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 348 Manter Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588-0118, USA.,Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, MRC 5503, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012, USA.,Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - T Scott Sillett
- Migratory Bird Center, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, MRC 5503, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012, USA
| | - Scott A Morrison
- The Nature Conservancy, 4th Floor, 201 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA 94105, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Pesendorfer MB, Baker CM, Stringer M, McDonald‐Madden E, Bode M, McEachern AK, Morrison SA, Sillett TS. Oak habitat recovery on California's largest islands: Scenarios for the role of corvid seed dispersal. J Appl Ecol 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mario B. Pesendorfer
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology Ithaca NY USA
- Migratory Bird Center Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute National Zoological Park Washington DC USA
| | - Christopher M. Baker
- School of BioSciences University of Melbourne Melbourne Vic. Australia
- School of Biological Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia, Brisbane Qld Australia
- CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences Ecosciences Precinct Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Martin Stringer
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia, Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Eve McDonald‐Madden
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences University of Queensland St Lucia, Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Michael Bode
- ARC Centre for Excellence for Coral Reefs Studies James Cook University Townsville Qld Australia
| | - A. Kathryn McEachern
- U.S. Geological Survey‐Western Ecological Research Center Channel Islands Field Station Ventura CA USA
| | | | - T. Scott Sillett
- Migratory Bird Center Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute National Zoological Park Washington DC USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Prior KM, Adams DC, Klepzig KD, Hulcr J. When does invasive species removal lead to ecological recovery? Implications for management success. Biol Invasions 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-017-1542-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|
20
|
Hanna C, Naughton I, Boser C, Holway D. Testing the effects of ant invasions on non-ant arthropods with high-resolution taxonomic data. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2015; 25:1841-1850. [PMID: 26591450 DOI: 10.1890/14-0952.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Invasions give rise to a wide range of ecological effects. Many invasions proceed without noticeable impacts on the resident biota, whereas others shift species composition and even alter ecosystem function. Ant invasions generate a broad spectrum of ecological effects, but controversy surrounds the extent of these impacts, especially with regard to how other arthropods are affected. This uncertainty in part results from the widespread use of low-resolution taxonomic data, which can mask the presence of other introduced species and make it difficult to isolate the effects of ant invasions on native species. Here, we use high-resolution taxonomic data to examine the effects of Argentine ant invasions on arthropods on Santa Cruz Island, California. We sampled arthropods in eight pairs of invaded and uninvaded plots and then collaborated with taxonomic experts to identify taxa in four focal groups: spiders, bark lice, beetles, and ants. Spiders, bark lice, and beetles made up ~40% of the 9868 non-ant arthropod individuals sampled; the majority of focal group arthropods were putatively native taxa. Although our results indicate strong negative effects of the Argentine ant on native ants, as is well documented, invaded and uninvaded plots did not differ with respect to the richness, abundance, or species composition of spiders, bark lice, and beetles. One common, introduced species of bark louse was more common in uninvaded plots than in invaded plots, and including this species into our analyses changed the relationship between bark louse richness vs. L. humile abundance from no relationship to a significant negative relationship. This case illustrates how failure to differentiate native and introduced taxa can lead to erroneous conclusions about the effects of ant invasions. Our results caution against unqualified assertions about the effects of ant invasions on non-ant arthropods, and more generally demonstrate that accurate assessments of invasion impacts depend on adequate information about species identity.
Collapse
|
21
|
Hansen DM. Non-native megaherbivores: the case for novel function to manage plant invasions on islands. AOB PLANTS 2015; 7:plv085. [PMID: 26194166 PMCID: PMC4565891 DOI: 10.1093/aobpla/plv085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
There is a heated debate about whether all non-native species are 'guilty until proven innocent', or whether some should be accepted or even welcomed. Further fanning the flames, I here present a case where introductions of carefully vetted, non-native species could provide a net conservation benefit. On many islands, native megaherbivores (flightless birds, tortoises) recently went extinct. Here, rewilding with carefully selected non-native species as ecological replacements is increasingly considered a solution, reinstating a herbivory regime that largely benefits the native flora. Based on these efforts, I suggest that restoration practitioners working on islands without a history of native megaherbivores that are threatened by invasive plants should consider introducing a non-native island megaherbivore, and that large and giant tortoises are ideal candidates. Such tortoises would be equally useful on islands where eradication of invasive mammals has led to increased problems with invasive plants, or on islands that never had introduced mammalian herbivores, but where invasive plants are a problem. My proposal may seem radical, but the reversibility of using giant tortoises means that nothing is lost from trying, and that indeed much is to be gained. As an easily regulated adaptive management tool, it represents an innovative, hypothesis-driven 'innocent until proven guilty' approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dennis M Hansen
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
|