New Paper Shows Invasive Species Removal is a Nature-Based Solution for Climate Resilience
Island Conservation and partners have published a new paper quantifying ecosystem resilience on restored islands!
Restoring islands for nature and people worldwide.
Published on
February 10, 2017
Written by
Emily Heber
Photo credit
Emily Heber
Sometimes events that are out of human control, such as natural disasters, can damage an ecosystem and threaten native wildlife. This was the case for the Montserrat Oriole (Icterus oberi) in the 1990’s, but years of conservation efforts and some luck have aided this species’ recovery.
On Montserrat Island in the Caribbean, habitat loss has put strain on the Oriole. Despite decline in its population, the species was considered to be Lower Risk/Near Threatened in 1994. This changed after the 1995 volcanic eruptions. In following years volcanic eruptions, ash, and low rainfall drastically reduced the survival rate of the native bird. The Montserrat Oriole became Critically Endangered.
Conservationists stepped in to rescue the species by transferring some individuals to captivity. The remaining Orioles were faced with invasive pigs and rats, and ongoing volcanic activity on the island. This led to a continuous decline in the population, but enhanced conservation efforts offered hope. In recent years, the protection of the critical habitat and efforts to remove feral pigs have benefited native species. While conservation efforts are certainly to thank for the recovery of the Montserrat Oriole, a stroke of luck has helped too: volcanic activity on Montserrat has decreased.
Conservation intervention has stabilized the population, which now consists of over 500 adults. Although this is a small step towards recovery, it is enough for them to be downlisted. The bird is currently listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Steffen Oppel, senior Conservation Scientist at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said:
The future population size of the Montserrat Oriole will always fluctuate, owing to the strong influence of rainfall on productivity and the vagaries of an active volcano….But, as long as the existing forest can be fully protected, the probability of extinction is fairly low over the next decade.
This conservation achievement comes with a lesson – protect species that live with at risk of unavoidable natural disasters by removing unnatural threats such as invasive species.
Featured photo: Montserrat Oriole perching. Credit: Tim Ellis
Source: BirdLife
Check out other journal entries we think you might be interested in.
Island Conservation and partners have published a new paper quantifying ecosystem resilience on restored islands!
Climate Week NYC: what is it and why is it important? Read on to find out why Island Conservation is attending this amazing event!
With sea levels on the rise, how are the coastlines of islands transforming? Read on to find out how dynamic islands really are!
Join us in celebrating the most amazing sights from around the world by checking out these fantastic conservation photos!
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…
Island Conservation accepts cryptocurrency donations. Make an impact using your digital wallet today!
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…
Video captures insights and hopes from the partners who are working to restore Lehua Island, Hawai’i. In 2021, Lehua Island officially became free from the threat of invasive rodents. This is a huge accomplishment that has enriched the region’s biodiversity…
Carolina Torres describes how the project to restore and rewild Floreana Island signals hope for a future where people and nature can thrive together in the Galápagos.
A new plan to restore seabird habitats in areas affected by the Deepwater Horizon disaster includes invasive species removal.