Perceived Barriers to the Use of Assisted Colonization for Climate Sensitive Species in the Hawaiian Islands

Abstract

Conservation actions to safeguard climate change vulnerable species may not be utilized due to a variety of perceived barriers. Assisted colonization, the intentional movement and release of an organism outside its historical range, is one tool available for species predicted to lose habitat under future climate change scenarios, particularly for single island or single mountain range endemic species. Despite the existence of policies that allow for this action, to date, assisted colonization has rarely been utilized for species of conservation concern in the Hawaiian Islands. Given the potential for climate driven biodiversity loss, the Hawaiian Islands are a prime location for the consideration of adaptation strategies. We used first-person interviews with conservation decision makers, managers, and scientists who work with endangered species in the Hawaiian Islands to identify perceived barriers to the use of assisted colonization. We found that assisted colonization was often not considered or utilized due to a lack of expertize with translocations; ecological risk and uncertainty, economic constraints, concerns regarding policies and permitting, concerns with public perception, and institutional resistance. Therefore, conservation planners may benefit from decision tools that integrate risk and uncertainty into decision models, and compare potential outcomes among conservation actions under consideration, including assisted colonization. Within a decision framework that addresses concerns, all conservation actions for climate sensitive species, including assisted colonization, may be considered in a timely manner.

Importance of restoration of dung beetles in the maintenance of ecosystem services

“…Dung beetles can fly almost 16 km (Thomas, 2001) and therefore may naturally recolonize many areas. However, in isolated habitats assisted colonization can be considered (Rivera et al., 2021). Reintroduction can be accomplished either by relocating dung pats containing beetles after ensuring the quality of dung (with no pests, chemical contamination, or seeds of invasive species) or by releasing commercially available dung beetles.…”

Assessing uncertainty in genomic offset forecasts from landscape genomic models (and implications for restoration and assisted migration)

“…Uncertainty also complicates planning for more progressive interventions such as assisted migration because increasing severity of future climate is accompanied by farther distances north of the current range (or ecoregions) needed to reach suitable habitat according to RI. Planning for assisted colonization of these distant regions may be complicated not only by the general political and social obstacles that this practice still faces (Rivera et al, 2021), but also by the fact that climatic conditions are probably still too cold presently to enact assisted migration based on end of century predicted climate. Currently, growth of red spruce genotypes at the current northern range edge may actually be cold-limited, and provenance trials show increased growth with transplantation to warmer regions (Li et al, 2020).…”

Cap. 30. Hawái y las Islas del Pacífico Afiliadas a los Estados Unidos. En: La Quinta Evaluación Nacional del Clima

“…Las poblaciones de aves de bosque están disminuyendo debido a la propagación de la malaria aviar provocada por el calentamiento 414,415 . Los manejadores están explorando opciones para salvaguardar especies próximas a la extinción 416,417,418,419 , lo que incluye la restauración del hábitat y el control del vector de la malaria aviar 420 y la translocación 421,422,423,424 .…”