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Feasibility assessment of the eradication of ship rats (R.rattus) and kiore (R.exulans) from Palmerston Atoll, Cook Islands
BRB
Available Online

Oyston, E. (Department of conservation)

2023
This report assesses the feasibility of eradicating rats from Palmerston Atoll – a small inhabited Atoll located in the Southern Cook Island group. The project was originally requested by the community so has social acceptance and political support. The project is being funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Managing Invasive Species for Climate Change Adaptation in the Pacific project. The Department of Conservation are leading the operational planning and delivery of the project, in collaboration with multiple Cook Island partner agencies and the Palmerston Island community. The feasibility study reviews why the eradication is being done; whether it is achievable; sustainable and acceptable; and identifies what the key issues and dependencies are; and proposes the next steps if the project is to proceed. Rats are present on two islands within the Atoll, over a total operational area of 71 hectares. Ship rats and kiore and present on the inhabited island (Palmerston/Home Island), while only kiore are present on Cooks motu. Rats have a significant impact of the livelihoods of the residents on the Atoll, and the elimination of these impacts, in addition to the biodiversity gains eradicating rats will bring, is the driver for the proposed project.
Indigenous peoples’ attitudes and social acceptability of invasive species control in New Zealand
Island and Ocean Ecosystems, BRB
Available Online

Balanovic, Jovana

,

Black, Amanda

,

Garner, Gary

,

MacDonald, Edith

,

Mark-Shadbolt, Melanie

,

Mercier, Ocean

,

Wright, Janine

2021
Context. In Aotearoa New Zealand, a significant threat to biodiversity, conservation efforts and Indigenous cultural identity is the unwanted introduction of invasive pests, plants and pathogens. Currently methods to control invasive species in Aotearoa New Zealand, in particular mammalian pests (i.e. possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)) have had decreasing public support. This has likely come about for a number of reasons, including lack of social engagement and concerns over impacts combined with an increasing distrust of top-down initiatives. Aims and methods. We analysed opinions towards existing and emerging technologies to manage invasive species. Data were obtained from 1015 respondents who identified as Indigenous Maori from a national survey of 8199 respondents. Utilising psychological frameworks to investigate underlying beliefs of social acceptance, we analysed the responses using exploratory and latent class analysis methods to summarise the main perspectives. Key results. Our results revealed four distinct clusters of viewpoints among within Maori respondents that were explained by known (objective) and subjective scientific knowledge around pest control methods, and Indigenous community wellbeing. We also observed a general neutrality in trust towards science, but more trust in scientists than science institutions. Conclusions and implications. Understanding the underlying values and viewpoints associated with pest control and including these in developing engagement plans will ensure a responsible process that empowers Maori. This way forward is key to sustain pathways of engagement and positive participation in decision-making.
InvaCost, a Public Database of the Economic Costs of Biological Invasions Worldwide
Island and Ocean Ecosystems, BRB
Available Online

Assailly, C.

,

Courchamp, F.

,

Diagne, C.

,

Gozlan, R. E.

,

Jarić, I.

,

Jourdain, F.

,

Leroy, B.

,

Nuninger, L.

,

Roiz, D.

,

Vaissière, A.-C.

2020
Biological invasions are responsible for tremendous impacts globally, including huge economic losses and management expenditures. Efficiently mitigating this major driver of global change requires the improvement of public awareness and policy regarding its substantial impacts on our socio-ecosystems. One option to contribute to this overall objective is to inform people on the economic costs linked to these impacts; however, until now, a reliable synthesis of invasion costs has never been produced at a global scale. Here, we introduce InvaCost as the most up-to-date, comprehensive, harmonised and robust compilation and description of economic cost estimates associated with biological invasions worldwide. We have developed a systematic, standardised methodology to collect information from peer-reviewed articles and grey literature, while ensuring data validity and method repeatability for further transparent inputs. Our manuscript presents the methodology and tools used to build and populate this living and publicly available database. InvaCost provides an essential basis (2419 cost estimates currently compiled) for worldwide research, management efforts and, ultimately, for datadriven and evidence-based policymaking.