128-Invasive Species Eradication with Wes Jolley and Dena Spatz

Many of us have heard of invasive species. We may even know a few species that are wreaking havoc in your local area. You have heard the doom and gloom of extinct species and ecosystem collapse. However, have your heard the success stories? How people have successfully managed to reclaim native landscapes and return species from the brink of extinction? Well, this is the good news story for you! We talk invasive species eradication on islands, and what we can learn from it. ResourcesWes JolleyDena SpatzSponsorsWest FraserGreenLink Forestry Inc.Quotes46.02 - 46.12: “Eradications are not just done by one group of people; it is an incredibly collaborative effort that really comes from the people that live on the islands first.” Takeaways“Biodiversity is concentrated on islands” (18.55)Dena differentiates between non-native species, a species that has been introduced outside of its native range, and invasive species, a non-native species that causes harm to that ecosystem. Island species (22.25)Dena highlights that island species lose their defences. Islands are hotspots for endemism, which makes them epicenters for extinction. The human element (27.14)Humans are carriers of invasive species, inhabitants of the island, creators of its culture and the victims of damage by invasive species.Invasive species cost over a trillion dollars (32.00)A one-time action and then opportunities for human-assisted recovery create a long-term sense of biosecurity through financial and conservation investments. Nuanced conservation (41.15)A value-based conservation approach considers the broader benefits of biodiversity restoration, like increasing productivity in surrounding areas. Collaborative and holistic efforts (45.57)Dena highlights the importance of recognizing the values and needs of the community where eradication efforts take place. The local community is mindful of preventing invasive species from coming to their islands.  Considerations in conservation efforts (52.11)Together, Pacific Rim Conservation and Island Conservation are creating ways to ensure restoration after the eradication of invasive species and build predator-proof fencing to prevent further invasions. Global conservation efforts (1.04.29)The Database of Island Invasive Species Eradications brings to light all the invasive species eradications and conservation efforts around the world over time.  “We can only do what we have the tech to be able to do” (1.10.42)Dena knows there is a lot more work to be done but that there are tools and information available to make it possible. The cost of harm by invasive species is a big driver for change.It’s raining iguanas! (1.18.30)Dena shares some examples of translocating native species to restoration sites instead of completely eradicating invasive species, sharing some techniques used and the behaviour pattern of the seabirds involved. Taking a leaf from the island book (1.27.17)Dena highlights that islands are insular systems due to their geographic separation by water, but the lessons from island conservation efforts can be applied to other insular areas like mountaintops. Proactive control (1.32.53)Dena acknowledges that a globalized economy with its import-export trade and travel brings with it invasive species. There are political controls in place to ensure biosecurity and protect agriculture and the economy.

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