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Going to scale: reviewing where we’ve been and where we need to go in invasive vertebrate eradications
Available Online

Hagen, E.

,

Holmes, N.

,

Howald, G.

,

Keitt, B.

,

Poiani, K.

2019
We are on the edge of the sixth mass extinction on Earth. Islands represent ca. 5% of the earth’s land area yet are home to 61% of extinctions in the past 500 years, and currently support 39% of critically endangered species. Invasive species are a leading cause of extinction and endangerment on islands. Invasive vertebrates, particularly mammals, are among some of the most damaging invasive species on islands. Eradicating invasive mammals is an increasingly utilised conservation tool. Nevertheless, conservation intervention needs greatly outstrip the island restoration community’s capacity. There are thousands of islands where invasive vertebrates are driving species toward extinction. So, how can the effort be matched to the scale of the problem? One approach is to improve outreach and communications to increase the resources available for projects. There are great stories; but these need to be told compellingly and repeatedly. Increasing social acceptance and support for invasive species eradications will reduce project costs associated with stakeholder engagement. Broadening the funding base can be accomplished by building stronger cost benefit valuations as well as engaging funders of climate change, marine conservation, human wellbeing, and food security. Furthermore, it is important to build upon existing partnerships to create or grow coalitions that can access these resources as part of broader, holistic efforts to address multiple conservation issues.
Weed eradication on Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands, New Zealand: progress and prognosis
BRB
Available Online

Havell, D.

,

West, C.J.

2019
During the 45 years that the Raoul Island weed eradication programme has been underway, eleven species have been eradicated. To complete the restoration of Raoul Island’s unique ecosystems supporting signi?cant seabird biodiversity and endemic biota, nine further transformer weeds must be eradicated. In this review of progress to date, we examine the feasibility of eradication of these transformers and identify that four species are on target for eradication: African olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata), yellow guava (Psidium guajava), castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) and grape (Vitis vinifera). However, for four more species more sta? resources are required to achieve eradication as currently infestations are establishing faster than they are being eliminated: purple guava (Psidium cattleianum), black passionfruit (Passi?ora edulis), Brazilian buttercup (Senna septemtrionalis) and Mysore thorn (Caesalpinia decapetala). The ninth species, Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia), is being contained but presents logistical di?culties for e?ective control – herbicide resistant tubers and cli? locations requiring rope access in unstable terrain. Increasing the resources for this programme now to enable eradication of these transformer weeds will reduce the total long-term cost of the programme. Eradication of rats, the 2006 eruption, recent greater cyclone frequency, increased tourism requiring biosecurity management, and sta?ng reductions have all impacted progress on weed eradication. Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii), con?rmed in March 2017 as the latest invasive species on Raoul Island, is establishing on Kermadec pohutukawa (Metrosideros kermadecensis), the dominant canopy species. The impact of this species on the weed eradication programme is unknown at this point.