Kaho Olawe Island Restoration Research Paper

Invasive species come in many forms; they can be plants, animals, insects, fish, fungus, organisms, and bacteria. Invasive plants are those which cause environmental, economic and human harm and originate from another area or region. They are a complex and difficult problem to tackle. There are more than 4,000 plants species found in Florida, of those 1300 or more are non-native or invasive. Many invasive species are taking over Florida’s waterways disrupting their natural ecosystem by outgrowing and replacing Florida’s native plants. Relieving the damage they cause is not easy, but scientists and members of the communities being affected are finding that it is achievable, as long as everyone works as a team to address the issue.

This lab report focus on the risk of extinction of the panther species of Florida due to habitat loss (urbanization), collisions road kill, intolerance and poor genetic diversity have been confined to this animal to live in a small part of South Florida become one of the most endangered mammals on the planet. About 160 cats remain in the wild. Therefore the objective of this report is to disseminate knowledge regarding the extinction of native species by identifying the mortality, its causes, area of action, level of ecosystem and possible solutions to prevent their extinction

In our Change Project, we collected a sufficient amount of data and learned information on a endangered species, the Ridgway’s Rail. This environmental issue is not very well-known, which explains the lack of help and volunteering. In this service project, our Change group went to Don Edward and help improved the habit of Ridgway’s Rail. Throughout this project, we tried to spread awareness about endangered species and find ways we can enhance their surroundings. My Change group used this opportunity to not only help prevent the extinction of Ridgway’s Rails, but also to help other species that are living in the same habitat. In order to help the Rails, we tried to figure out the reason behind the destruction of the marsh. Through an experienced volunteer, June Smith, we learned that invasive plants are the culprit of the extinction of the Ridgway’s Rails.

The City of Sanibel is a 12 mile long island (12,000 acres) with ecosystems ranges from coastal beaches, dunes, upland ridges to freshwater wetland to mangrove swamps off the in the Gulf of Mexico (Duerksen & Snyder, 2005). This small community cherishes its cultural, social, ecological, and economic diversity. Their permanent population of 6,000 residents choose to live in harmony with nature; creating a human settlement distinguished by its diversity, beauty, uniqueness, character, and stewardship. Sanibel has become know as the most effective and progressive nature and biodiversity protection program in the U.S.

Hawaii Turtle Tours takes you for a tour around the island of Oahu to see some pretty amazing things. However, most people don’t know about the trouble that the islands face. The islands are home to some amazing and unique plants and animals. Yet, today it is estimated that there approximately 90% of these species are invasive or foreign. Leaving only 10% of native and endemic species left on the island. This means that of this small percentage, these plans and animals are found nowhere else in the world. Plus, the majority of these species are endemic, which means that they are found only in Hawaii and nowhere else.

The state of Hawaii and its islands are role models for the nation and world when it comes to protection of ecological and biological resources. From establishments of protection of at least 20% of U.S. Coral reefs and associated habitat types in no-take areas, to working with local, governmental and global stakeholders to amend treaties and Acts that the nation can involve in. Currently, there are 43 sites considered marine protected areas and 12 of these are no-take zones. Papahãnaumokuãkea Marine National Monument is one of these.

Invasive species, unlike Mauna Loa, only affect Hawaii negatively. A quote from Hawaii Invasive Species Council states that “If brown tree snakes were introduced to Hawaii, they could potentially cause the extinction of our native bird species, and could cost an estimated $2.14 billion a year in damages to electrical infrastructure and medical costs associated with snake bites” (Hawaii Invasive Species Council). This results in not only the people having been bit affected, but the people in that area are being affected, too. Not to mention that an invasive species, called the Little Fire Ant,”infests beach parks, homes, and habitats of native species, resulting in in painful stings, lost crops, and injured pets” (Hawaii Invasive Species Council).

Invasive species are a potential critical problem. They can influence the environment completely; anything from individual species to entire ecosystems. The brown tree snake was at first located in Indonesia and New Guinea, but the brown tree snake became an invasive species to Guam by coincidence (3). Because the Brown tree snake is very capable to hide in confined spaces it is believed that they were distributed to Guam by U.S military ships during their war against Japan (5). The brown tree snake can be easily distinguished by its brown, greenish colour, rear fangs and a large, almost disproportioned, head compared to its body (5).

Hawaii has always been a beautiful flourishing place, but since the first arrival of outsiders, the local flora and fauna have been greatly affected. Hawaii is located in one of the most secluded parts of the world, being thousands of miles from the closest land mass. For an excessive amount of time Hawaii lived in isolation. The arrival of Captain Cook in the 18th century impacted Hawaii instantly. Like any arrival of westerners to an isolated place, the westerners transmitted diseases that the indigenous had no immunization to. Like the Native Americans at the arrival of the Spanish, Hawaiians were dying quick. With the introduction of new diseases the westerners also brought ideas. Since Hawaii was now known to the world missionaries came to enforce those new ideas and a new religion. The missionaries did nothing but confuse the indigenous people even more. Missionaries sought to make the Hawaiians identical to them, or similar. They forced acculturated the population and assimilated their culture. The descendants of the first missionaries later aided in the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy. They also helped introduce the idea and practice of land “owning” to the indigenous. The introduction of such process led to a 4:1 ratio of land owned by whites to land owned by indigenous.

Furthermore, one of my favorite days during the program was going to the Maui Ocean Center. It is known to be the nation’s largest tropical reef aquarium. This allows people from all over the world to be able to view Hawaii’s beautiful undersea world all at once. Many of the animals that are held captive at the Maui Ocean center are mainly found in Hawaii. The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles exhibit truly caught my attention at the Ocean center. They have a education outreach program called Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle Educational Loan Program that helps strengthen the population of this particular specie. There was a study done to see how well the captive bred green turtles were adapting to wildlife. The information obtained during 267-481 days of remote monitoring using satellite tracking gave strong support to the premise of successful adaptation to the wild by the four captive- reared juvenile green turtles released by the Maui Ocean Center (Balazs, Parker, Gorman, Luecke, Pawloski, 2015) . Current research in Hawaii shows the Hawaiian green turtle population is increasing since they have been protected by federal law (Maui Ocean Center,

These species of plants and animals do well to illustrate that the island is rich with species diversity and is home to many organisms. Without these specific types of habitats (e.g. salt marshes, dunes, and maritime forests), the island’s natural wildlife and plant life would look vastly different. Aside from the aesthetic value of barrier islands and potential economic gains, barrier island environments provide valuable information that is relevant wildlife and ecological management. Since humans have colonized nearly all major continents, we have a significant impact on the natural environment. Such information that is gained through studying barrier islands can contribute to better management of these environs so that more informed decisions

Of the methods discussed in our textbook, I think the ecotourism and direct environmental adjustment method would be the most effective way to preserve biodiversity. Our textbook explains how they've had a lot of success with removing invasive mammals and weeds while also replacing them with plants and other things that mimic their natural habitat in areas of Hawaii. This has benefited Hawaii both ecologically and economically by driving ecotourism

Native plants are very important to the Hawaiian Islands and their ecosystems. Native plants are plants that formed naturally with the land. Sometimes native plants are only found in that area. When you completely remove a native plant from an area, it can cause a chain reaction due to it removing a food source from an insect. Then a bird can suffer from a lack of the insects they feed on. The benefits of native plants can be it introduces a new species of animals that can feed on it. Native plants don't need to be cared for that much because it is already adapted to growing in certain locations. The effects of native plants can be completely erased by invasive plants.

The snake has wreaked havoc on the island. They have no nature predators on Guam. This lead to a quick decreased the bird population; 12 native bird species have been driven into or close to extinction (Morelle). Other species,

The Galapagos islands are home to many endemic species such as the various species of tortoise often associated with them. What they are known less for is the large quantity of invasive species that also now inhabit the island thanks to man coming to and from the island with only himself in mind. Since this issue has been noticed, transport to and from the islands has become quite regulated and limited in the hopes of slowing this disaster in the works. This is seeming to work but it isn’t unlikely that all threats will be eradicated since “humans will inevitably inhabit the island” (Santoso, 2014). This human presence will always be a problem but some have chosen to work towards retribution. With over 1,000 invasive species now inhabiting