[PCA] NEWS: Hawaiian Biodiversity Loss Driven by Feral Ungulates

[Olivia Kwong]

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.