Conservation and management

Biological Invasions in South Africa’s Offshore Sub-Antarctic Territories

“…Additionally, Canis lupus familiaris (Domestic Dog) and two parrots were kept on Marion Island for companionship in the 1960s (Watkins and Cooper 1986). All these species either did not establish in the wild, or were subsequently removed from the island (Watkins and Cooper 1986;de Villiers and Cooper 2008;Greve et al 2017). Based on evidence from other islands, it is highly likely that some of these species could have caused significant damage, had they persisted as self-sustaining populations (Frenot et al 2001;Courchamp et al 2003;Lecomte et al 2013).…”

“…8.3). The islands were probably most vulnerable following annexation in 1948, when voyages to the islands were more common than prior to annexation (Cooper 2008), but when there was little awareness of invasions (de Villiers and Cooper 2008). During this period, several species were intentionally introduced, and others arrived accidentally (de Villiers and Cooper 2008;Greve et al 2017).…”

“…The islands were probably most vulnerable following annexation in 1948, when voyages to the islands were more common than prior to annexation (Cooper 2008), but when there was little awareness of invasions (de Villiers and Cooper 2008). During this period, several species were intentionally introduced, and others arrived accidentally (de Villiers and Cooper 2008;Greve et al 2017). In the 1970s, concerns were raised about the threats posed by invasive species, and since then, policy governing movements to and from, and activities on, the islands has increasingly focussed on reducing the possibility of introducing new species to the PEIs (de Villiers et al 2006;de Villiers and Cooper 2008; Department of Environmental Affairs Directorate: Antarctica and Islands 2010).…”

“…During this period, several species were intentionally introduced, and others arrived accidentally (de Villiers and Cooper 2008;Greve et al 2017). In the 1970s, concerns were raised about the threats posed by invasive species, and since then, policy governing movements to and from, and activities on, the islands has increasingly focussed on reducing the possibility of introducing new species to the PEIs (de Villiers et al 2006;de Villiers and Cooper 2008; Department of Environmental Affairs Directorate: Antarctica and Islands 2010). Policies related to biological invasions focus mainly on preventing new introductions to the islands (Department of Environmental Affairs Directorate: Antarctica and Islands 2010); the introduction phase is the easiest and most effective stage at which to control invasions (Blackburn et al 2011).…”

DNA barcoding and the documentation of alien species establishment on sub-Antarctic Marion Island

“…In consequence, additional eVorts (especially light-trapping for adults and vegetation surveys for larvae) should be made to determine whether the species has established permanently, and if so how widely distributed and abundant it is. Eradication programmes have been developed for other species at Marion Island (the isopod Porcellio scaber and the grasses Agrostis gigantea and Elymus repens) (de Villiers and Cooper 2008), and it is reasonable to suggest that such a programme should be investigated for A. ipsilon and implemented if feasible. More generally, the migratory nature of A. ipsilon (Showers et al 1989), records of this species as a transient alien at other sub-Antarctic locations (Greenslade et al 1999;Convey 2005), and its ability to survive in the immature stage at Marion Island suggest that it may prove to be one of the most immediate risks in terms of species establishment and invasion on the sub-Antarctic islands.…”