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
August 4, 2018
Written by
Emily Heber
Photo credit
Emily Heber
The sub-Antarctic Island of South Georgia is home to a many rare and threatened bird and due to the removal of invasive species by the South Georgia Heritage Trust and partners, many of these species are on the road to recovery. Unfortunately, the Grey-headed Albatross population has not experienced the same miraculous recovery after the removal of invasive species that other species have had.
Approximately half the global population of Grey-headed Albatross nests on South Georgia Island each year but researchers knew very little about where they go after fledging. All they knew was that seven years later Grey-headed Albatross should return to the island. However, the juveniles were not returning and since 1977, their population on the island has been cut in half.
Richard Phillips, a British Antarctic Survey seabird researcher, explains:
We’ve been intensively monitoring albatrosses on Bird Island for over 40 years, and from recording re-sightings of ringed birds, we worked out that survival rates in the first few years after leaving the colony were far lower than expected, which was a major contributor to the population decline. However, we had little idea of what was happening to the birds before they returned.”
In order to uncover what exactly was happening during those seven years, the researchers at the British Antarctic Survey decided it was time to tag a few juveniles just before they fledge and leave the island. In May 2018, 16 satellite tags were attached to 16 albatross chicks, although only 9 juveniles made it off the island due to natural predation.
The data is already helping researchers formulate an idea of the threats these seabirds face. Stephanie Winnard, International Marine Project Officer for the Royal Society for the Preservation of Birds (RSPB) explained:
Initial results have shown some of the juveniles headed to the area where they were reported to have been killed by the Japanese fishery, which is the first time we’ve tracked the species to that area.”
Although this is only the beginning of the search for answers, conservationists are hopeful that by understanding the off-shore threats and preventing the reintroduction of invasive species, the Grey-headed Albatross population on South Georgia can thrive once again.
Source: BirdLife International
Featured photo: Grey-headed Albatross (Thalassarche chrysostoma), East of the Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania, Australia. Credit: JJ Harrison/Wikimedia Commons
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.