December 4, 2024
The Ebiil Society: Champions of Palau
Ann Singeo, founder of our partner organization the Ebiil Society, shares her vision for a thriving Palau and a flourishing world of indigenous science!
Our new online shop is live!
Published on
February 5, 2018
Written by
Island Conservation
Photo credit
Island Conservation
Since the European colonization of Australia, invasive species have been spread throughout the country and have caused extensive damage to native wildlife, agriculture, and even human health. Conservationists have tried a myriad of ways to address these problems, from building fences to protect ecosystems to introducing diseases intended to control invasive species populations. Sometimes these solutions work, and other times they fail. One thing is certain: invasive species are damaging to native ecosystems.
Conservationists around the world are constantly looking to the horizon to see what new ideas and technologies will emerge to help prevent extinctions of native wildlife. Andy Sheppard, Research Director at Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, is looking to the future to see if new technologies will bring about the advances we need to curb the extinction crisis.
New Zealand Predator Free 2050 initiative seeks to protect native and endemic wildlife by removing four of the nation’s most damaging invasive predators. This lofty goal will require advances in technology, but its success will pave the way for regions around the world where invasive predators threaten island species. Australia has applied a variety of techniques over the past decades to curb the effects of invasive species. Protecting islands has been key to their strategy, as have predator-free enclosures, but invasive species remain a serious threat to the nation’s biological diversity.
Andy Sheppard highlights the potential for the use of gene drive technology to play a role in the removal of invasive species in New Zealand and on islands around the world. Gene drives have the potential to save island species from invasive predators such as rats. Researchers are exploring a technique of editing rodent genes in order to produce either all-male or all-female offspring, which, once released onto an island, would effectively self-eliminate the rodent population. Island Conservation, CSIRO, and partners have developed the Genetic Biocontrol of Invasive Rodents (GBIRd) program and are working to investigate the potential applications for gene drives in the prevention of extinctions of island species.
Featured photo: Sooty Tern on Palymra Atoll. Credit: Island Conservation
Originally Published on ABC.net
Check out other journal entries we think you might be interested in.
December 4, 2024
Ann Singeo, founder of our partner organization the Ebiil Society, shares her vision for a thriving Palau and a flourishing world of indigenous science!
November 22, 2024
This historic agreement aims to protect the marine and coastal areas of the Southeast Pacific.
November 18, 2024
Our projects to restore key islets in Nukufetau Atoll forecast climate resilience and community benefits in Tuvalu!
October 3, 2024
Island Conservation and partners have published a new paper quantifying ecosystem resilience on restored islands!
September 10, 2024
Climate Week NYC: what is it and why is it important? Read on to find out why Island Conservation is attending this amazing event!
September 5, 2024
With sea levels on the rise, how are the coastlines of islands transforming? Read on to find out how dynamic islands really are!
December 14, 2023
Join us in celebrating the most amazing sights from around the world by checking out these fantastic conservation photos!
November 28, 2023
Rare will support the effort to restore island-ocean ecosystems by engaging the Coastal 500 network of local leaders in safeguarding biodiversity (Arlington, VA, USA) Today, international conservation organization Rare announced it has joined the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC), a global effort to…
November 28, 2023
Island Conservation accepts cryptocurrency donations. Make an impact using your digital wallet today!
October 24, 2023
For Immediate Release Conservation powerhouse BirdLife South Africa has joined the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC) – a global initiative aiming to restore, rewild and protect islands, oceans and communities – to support its work to save internationally significant albatross populations…