[PCA] NEWS: Hawaiian Biodiversity Loss Driven by Feral Ungulates
Olivia Kwong
plant at plantconservation.org
Wed Feb 16 08:33:58 CST 2011
http://studentpulse.com/articles/390/hawaiian-biodiversity-loss-driven-by-feral-ungulates
Hawaiian Biodiversity Loss Driven by Feral Ungulates
By Violet K. Dixon
The activity of feral ungulates such as pigs, goats, and deer has resulted
in extensive biodiversity loss in Hawaii. These animals were introduced by
the Polynesians as domesticated livestock, and now play a destructive role
in the local ecosystem. Ungulate populations have played a destructive
role in the fragile ecosystems of Hawaiian Islands in a variety of ways.
Grazing and rooting result in damage of ground cover and consumption of
native plants. The soil disturbance from these activities results in
erosion and sediment run-off which damages coral reefs. Disturbed earth is
also vulnerable to rooting of invasive plant species and breeding grounds
for mosquito larvae. Native Hawaiian species evolved in the absence of
large predators such as these ungulates and are thus especially vulnerable
to predation and habitat loss. In addition, there are no predators besides
humans of these wild ungulates which allows them to reproduce rapidly.
These wild populations must be managed and controlled at a rate faster
than they can reproduce. In addition, restoration projects are in place to
preserve the vegetation in Hawaii's dry forests which are degraded at a
more accelerated rate than the rainforests. Management and restoration
plans are in place already; however, opposition from certain groups and
more data must be collected and established to convince these parties that
in order to preserve Hawaii's biodiversity, ungulates must be controlled
and removed.
See the link above for the full article text.
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