Island Conservation
Lehua Island Restoration Project aims to protect native Hawaiian seabird nesting habitat. What would happen to all the migratory birds if they didn’t have islands to rest and nest on? Islands are critically important land masses for birds that fly long distances over the open ocean. Without these safe rest stops and nesting sites, migration and […]
Restoration of Lehua’s terrestrial environment can benefit the island’s surrounding marine ecosystem. Research has shown that restoration of native island ecosystems is vital to the health of surrounding marine ecosystems. Lehua Island is no exception; where the water meets the shore two very different yet connected environments interact. The health of one is crucial to […]
Jan TenBruggencate explains why the benefits of conservation action outweigh the potential risks on Lehua Island. By: Jan TenBruggencate The removal of rats from Lehua Island should proceed, in my view. The likely benefits are huge, and the theoretical risk is small. Invasive rats on Lehua are killing live seabird chicks, eggs and adults, eating […]
Restoration of Lehua Island could result in alternative habitat for seabirds whose nesting sites are threatened by sea level rise. Islands are sentinels for sea level change. Because of their small size and often remote locations, the consequences of sea level rise manifest quickly on islands. Because the stakes are so high and the consequences of sea […]
The Pin-tailed Whydah, a parasitic bird, could put native Antilles and Hawaiian island species at risk. The word “parasite” often brings to mind an image a small worm, but sometimes, parasitic species are not what you imagine. Such is the case for the Pin-tailed Whydah, which is one of only about 100 parasitic bird species […]
After years of speculation, researchers have confirmed that Hawai’i’s only land mammal, the Endangered Hoary Bat, still lives on Kaho’olawe Island. The Hawaiian Islands are known for their biological diversity as well as the ecological threats posed by invasive species. Kaho’olawe Island is no exception. Recently, amidst a restoration effort by Island Conservation and our […]
Seed bank safeguards native Hawaiian plants. With the influx of people to islands comes the spread of weeds, pests, and disease. Such introductions have contributed to the demise of over 130 plants species in Hawai’i. More than 40 percent of all Endangered and Threatened plants in the United States can be found in Hawaii. The […]
La especialista en restauración de islas en Island Conservation Mele Khalsa comparte su perspectiva sobre las oportunidades de restauración en la isla de Lehua, Hawai’i. Por: Mele Khalsa Sin lugar a dudas, las islas hawaianas son increíblemente hermosas. La región es única, manteniendo una gran diversidad de especies que no se encuentran en ningún otro […]
Island Conservation Restoration Specialist Mele Khalsa shares her perspective on the opportunities for restoration on Lehua Island, Hawai’i. By: Mele Khalsa Without question, the Hawaiian Islands are stunningly beautiful. The region is unique, supporting a great diversity of species found nowhere else on Earth. Yet, Hawai‘i is struggling with significant environmental issues, and is today […]
A tsunami strikes Hawaiian islands with globally important seabird species; scientists can study its effects to better understand imminent ecological threats presented by sea level rise. Earthquake-generated tsunamis can cause sudden flooding in coastal areas and islands. Damage to human health and infrastructure caused by past tsunamis is well-documented–but what happens to the affected region’s […]