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Costs and bene? ts for biodiversity following rat and cat eradication on Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island
Island and Ocean Ecosystems, BRB
Available Online

Bell, E.

,

Campbell, J.

,

Cassey, P.

,

Ewen, J.G.

,

Green, C.

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Gri?ths, R.

,

Joyce, L.

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Rayner, M.

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Towns, D.

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Toy, R.

,

Veitch, C.R.

,

Wade, L.

,

Walle, R.

2019
Considerable bene?ts can be achieved for indigenous biodiversity when invasive vertebrates are removed from islands. In New Zealand, two logistically challenging eradications were undertaken, one to remove cats (Felis catus) and the other Paci?c rats (Rattus exulans) from Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island (Hauturu). Here we document the short- and long-term impacts of these interventions on the biodiversity of Hauturu. We also assess the extent to which predicted outcomes were re?ected in the measured responses for a wide range of species. Short-term impacts of the eradication program encompassed individual mortality for some native species but no measurable impact to populations. In contrast, at least 11 native vertebrates and one native invertebrate species increased in abundance after rat and cat removal. Fifteen of 34 plant species monitored had signi?cantly more seedlings on Hauturu after rat eradication compared with control islands, indicating future changes in forest composition. Several native species previously not recorded on the island were discovered, including the New Zealand storm petrel (Fregetta maoriana) (formerly considered extinct), the forest ringlet butter?y (Dodonidia helmsi) and eight species of aquatic invertebrate. The chevron skink (Oligosoma homalonotum) has been found in increasing numbers and tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus), raised in captivity on the island, are now re-established and breeding in the wild. These results illustrate an island gradually recovering after a long period of modi?cation. We conclude that more success stories such as Hauturu must be told if we are to allay the public’s concerns about such eradication campaigns. And more public support is required if the conservation community is to tackle invasive species at a scale commensurate with the threats they pose.
Community-based conservation and recovery of native species on Monuriki Island, Fiji
Island and Ocean Ecosystems, BRB
Available Online

Brown, J.

,

Chand, R.

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Cranwell, S.

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Fisher, R.N.

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Harlow, P.

,

Lovich, K.

,

Niukula, J.

,

Rasalato, S.

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Seniloli, E.

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Thaman, B.

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Thomas-Moko, N.

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Vadada, J.

2019
The small uninhabited island of Monuriki (40.4 ha) in western Fiji is of national and international conservation concern for its several protected species. Exotic invasive species and a Category 5 cyclone have exacerbated conservation challenges. The cooperation of local, national, and international stakeholders continues to be crucial in restoration of the island’s native ?ora and fauna. This summary presents a timeline of restoration efforts and current status of the recovery programme for Monuriki. The critically endangered dry forest habitat of Fiji is only found in a few isolated patches on disparate islands. The Fijian crested iguana (Brachylophus cf. vitiensis) is a critically endangered species restricted to a few small islands in this dry forest zone of western Fiji. The population of crested iguanas on Monuriki Island is the third largest remaining population. Even before iguanas were ?rst documented on the island in the early 1980s, individuals had been removed by local resorts for display purposes, a practice that was previously unregulated. In the late 1990s, the ?rst efforts to conserve and restore Monuriki Island were discussed, but conservation initiatives were not implemented until the development of the Crested Iguana Recovery Plan in 2008. In 2011, domestic goats (Capra hircus) and non-native rats (Rattus exulans) were removed from the island, and 10 pairs of iguanas were brought into captive breeding facilities within Fiji. In 2015, the ?rst 32 captive-bred crested iguanas were released back on Monuriki Island. More than half of these iguanas (N=26) were radio-tracked for 56 days post-release in order to assess survivorship and help provide insights into their short-term movement patterns. Of the 26 iguanas that were tracked, nearly 70% (N=18) were found after 56 days indicating excellent short-term survival. In February 2016, Tropical Cyclone Winston, a Category 5 storm passed through Fiji and devastated some of the tropical dry forest habitat on Monuriki. With sustained winds of up to 230 km/ hr nearly all of the canopy leaves from trees on Monuriki Island were removed and large amounts of debris covered the forest ?oor. Following the cyclone, a brief wildlife survey revealed Monuriki’s iguana and bird populations were still present. In 2017, the crested iguana captive breeding programme was brought to an end when 16 of the original 20 iguana founders, and an additional 32 captive bred o? spring, were reintroduced onto Monuriki. This was accomplished, in part, due to successful breeding and reestablishment of the remaining wild iguanas on the island. Despite a major storm event, reestablishment likely resulted from reduced egg and hatchling predation by the rats, and excellent habitat recovery after goat removal. Overall these invasive species eradications have proven highly successful for the recovery of the iguanas, wedge-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus paci?cus), and several other non-target species including the banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis) and endangered Fijian peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus). Furthermore, eradication of non-native species has also helped the recovery of the highly threatened tropical dry forest ecosystem in which these species exist.