|
S |
|
|
|
Conservation Topics
Hawai'i in threat of
invasion:
One of Explore Biodiversity's main goals is to educate the public
about environmental issues. The organization has its roots in the
Hawaiian islands and is therefore very close to home. Hawaii is
not by any means the most biodiverse country in the world, but it
is home to an amazing array of uniquely adapted plants and animals,
most found nowhere else in the world.
Imagine, a group of islands that had nearly no mammals (one), no
reptiles and no amphibians. For the most part, there were no herbivores.
Birds had few predators. The plants and animals that arrived in
the islands would not have needed to grow fast and quickly out compete
others because there weren't really many 'others'. The result -
a weak assemblage of organisms that are prone to invasion.
The invasions began with the Hawaiians who brought 32 species of
plants, geckos, pigs, and rats. In less than 2 millennia Hawaiians
had forced 17 flightless birds to go extinct. Most of the lowland
plants and animals also vanished as land was cleared for agriculture.
Then in 1778, Captain James Cook started the second wave of invasions
to the islands. Large sailing vessels brought countless critters
all ready to take up residency in the islands. Now, there are more
invasive species than native species, and most of the natives are
on the way out.
So how do we protect what's left? Here are our suggestions:
- Clean your boots before and
after every hike (if not you run the risk of spreading unwanted
seeds).
- Join an organization to weed
unwanted species from places were natives are at risk.
- Don't collect native species,
including corals, snails, or plants. (Take pictures, not species).
- Don't bring anything that may
contain critters to the islands.
- Tell others what you've learned
from Hawaiian environment.
Rob
Find out more:
|
|
|
