The influence of man on the floras and faunas of southern islands

Holdgate, M. W.; Wace, N. M.

doi:10.1017/s0032247400051858

Cited by 48 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…They can adapt to harsh conditions, eat a wide range of plant species (Thompson, 1953;Chapuis, 1981Chapuis, , 1990Homolka, 1988), and have an exceptional growth rate for their body mass (Smith & Quin, 1996). The very rapid increase of their populations in ecosystems where indigenous grazers are in general much less numerous and competitive, leads to a dramatic impoverishment of the vegetation, both quantitatively and qualitatively (Gillham, 1955;Costin & Moore, 1960;Holdgate & Wace, 1961;Norman, 1967;Selkirk et al, 1983;Chapuis et al, 1994a), and results in severe impacts on associated indigenous fauna.…”

Section: (B ) Effects Of Resource Exploitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A classic illustration of this is the removal of cats from islands where rats are also present: the elimination of feral cat populations from such ecosystems could lead to a severe negative impact on the endemic species, through a rapid growth of rodent populations following the removal of their predators. Attempted reduction of the cat population of Amsterdam Island is alleged to have caused a compensating increase in the number of rats and mice, and so has been abandoned (Holdgate & Wace, 1961). It is axiomatic that removal of cats (as well as similar predators) from islands must be accompanied by a control of their introduced prey (herbivores as well as omnivores or carnivores).…”

Section: (3) Positive and Negative Effects Of Mammal Eradicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mammal invaders on islands: impact, control and control impact

Courchamp¹,

Chapuis²,

2003

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The invasion of ecosystems by exotic species is currently viewed as one of the most important sources of biodiversity loss. The largest part of this loss occurs on islands, where indigenous species have often evolved in the absence of strong competition, herbivory, parasitism or predation. As a result, introduced species thrive in those optimal insular ecosystems affecting their plant food, competitors or animal prey. As islands are characterised by a high rate of endemism, the impacted populations often correspond to local subspecies or even unique species. One of the most important taxa concerning biological invasions on islands is mammals. A small number of mammal species is responsible for most of the damage to invaded insular ecosystems : rats, cats, goats, rabbits, pigs and a few others. The effect of alien invasive species may be simple or very complex, especially since a large array of invasive species, mammals and others, can be present simultaneously and interact among themselves as well as with the indigenous species. In most cases, introduced species generally have a strong impact and they often are responsible for the impoverishment of the local flora and fauna. The best response to these effects is almost always to control the alien population, either by regularly reducing their numbers, or better still, by eradicating the population as a whole from the island. Several types of methods are currently used : physical (trapping, shooting), chemical ( poisoning ) and biological (e.g. directed use of diseases ). Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, depending on the mammal species targeted. The best strategy is almost always to combine several methods. Whatever the strategy used, its long-term success is critically dependent on solid support from several different areas, including financial support, staff commitment, and public support, to name only a few. In many cases, the elimination of the alien invasive species is followed by a rapid and often spectacular recovery of the impacted local populations. However, in other cases, the removal of the alien is not sufficient for the damaged ecosystem to revert to its former state, and complementary actions, such as species re-introduction, are required. A third situation may be widespread : the sudden removal of the alien species may generate a further disequilibrium, resulting in further or greater damage to the ecosystem. Given the numerous and complex population interactions among island species, it is difficult to predict the outcome of the removal of key species, such as a top predator. This justifies careful pre-control study and preparation prior to initiating the eradication of an alien species, in order to avoid an ecological catastrophe. In addition, long-term monitoring of the post-eradication ecosystem is crucial to assess success and prevent reinvasion.

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Section: (B ) Effects Of Resource Exploitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: (3) Positive and Negative Effects Of Mammal Eradicationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mammal invaders on islands: impact, control and control impact

Courchamp¹,

Chapuis²,

2003

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“…For example, Crichton (1974) and Arnold (1978) (Wodzicki, 1950;Thompson & Worden, 1956;Holgate & Wace, 1961;Baird, 1964;King, 1969). Rabbits were introduced to islands off the coast of Victoria, Tasmania and Western…”

Section: Arthur and Wilson's Notions Included Those Ofmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on Islands: A Case-Study of Successful Colonization

Armstrong¹

1982

Journal of Biogeography

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“…The simplicity of terrestrial ecosystems and biota on southern islands makes them vulnerable to change and easily destroyed. Mammals that were accidentally or deliberately introduced to these islands, and ranging in size from rodents to cattle, have been important agents of change (Holdgate & Wace, 1961;Bonner, 1984;Leader-Williams, 1985. Calls for management policies to control the effects of introduced mammals have been made in recent years (Jouventin et al, 1984;Walton, 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Introduced reindeer on South Georgia—A management dilemma

Leader‐Williams

Walton

Prince

1989

Biological Conservation

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Introduced mammals have had a major impact on the biota of islands in the Southern Ocean. Management plans for some islands include control measures for both introduced herbivores and carnivores that are justified on scientific grounds. In contrast, any active management of reindeer on South Georgia does not have a scientific justification since the survival of native species and communities are not at present threatened. Instead, the management option which is eventually chosen from those which are technically appropiate will be based on a value judgement by the management authority.

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The influence of man on the floras and faunas of southern islands

Cited by 48 publications

References 17 publications

Mammal invaders on islands: impact, control and control impact

Mammal invaders on islands: impact, control and control impact

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) on Islands: A Case-Study of Successful Colonization

Introduced reindeer on South Georgia—A management dilemma

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