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Bait colour and moisture do not affect bait acceptance by introduced Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) at Henderson Island, Pitcairn Islands.
Biodiversity Conservation, BRB
Available Online

Bond, A.L.

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McClelland, G.T.W.

,

O’Keefe, S.

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Warren, P.

2019
Rodent eradications are a useful tool for the restoration of native biodiversity on islands, but occasionally these operations incur non-target mortality. Changes in cereal bait colour could potentially mitigate these impacts but must not compromise the eradication operation. Changing bait colour may reduce mortality of Henderson crakes (Zapornia atra), an endemic globally threatened flightless bird on Henderson Island, Pitcairn Islands, South Pacific Ocean. Crakes had high non-target mortality in a failed 2011 rat eradication operation and consumed fewer blue than green cereal pellets. We examined which cereal bait properties influenced its acceptance by captive Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) on Henderson Island. We held 82 Pacific rats from Henderson Island in captivity and provided them with non-toxic cereal bait pellets of varying properties (blue or green, moist or dry). We estimated the proportion of rats consuming bait using logistic generalised linear mixed models. We found no effect of sex, females’ reproductive status, bait colour or bait moisture on rats’ willingness to consume baits. Rats’ bait consumption was unaffected by cereal bait properties (colour or moisture). The use of blue bait is unlikely to affect future eradication operational success but may reduce non-target mortality of Henderson crakes. Timing cereal bait distribution in relation to precipitation may also reduce crake mortality without compromising palatability to rats.
Lessons on effectiveness and long-term prevention from broad-scale control of invasive alien species in Scotland’s rivers and lochs
Biodiversity Conservation, BRB
Available Online

Horrill, J.C.

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Oliver, M.K.

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Stubbs Partridge, J.

2019
Prior to 2008 there were few invasive alien species (IAS) initiatives operating in Scotland on a scale required for e?ective control. The establishment of the Biosecurity and Invasive Non-Native Species Programme by the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts of Scotland was the ?rst attempt to link local e?orts with national IAS strategy on scales appropriate to the e?ective control of target species. The programme worked with 26 local ?sheries trusts to produce biosecurity plans that covered over 90% of Scotland’s rivers and lochs. The programme implemented a range of prevention measures, including promoting awareness of invasive species issues and the need for biosecurity among water users. Projects were established for invasive plants on most major river systems, and for American mink (Neovison vison) in the north of Scotland. These projects involved public/private partnerships, using a mix of professional sta? and volunteers. Interactive data management systems were developed to manage input from a large number of individuals and to inform an adaptive management approach. These control projects demonstrated that it is feasible to reduce the size and density of target populations of invasive species across large geographic areas. The key to maintaining the momentum of this control e?ort in the future will be to demonstrate sustainable IAS management in the longer term. This challenge led to the formulation of the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative (SISI) whose overall aim is the development of a long-term, cost-e?ective strategy for IAS management throughout the north of Scotland. SISI will test strategies derived from experience and information from previous control projects. Important areas that the initiative will seek to address include de?ning outcomes, integrating IAS management into other management initiatives, and maintaining partnership interest and cohesiveness in a challenging funding environment.
Weed eradication on Raoul Island, Kermadec Islands, New Zealand: progress and prognosis
BRB
Available Online

Havell, D.

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West, C.J.

2019
During the 45 years that the Raoul Island weed eradication programme has been underway, eleven species have been eradicated. To complete the restoration of Raoul Island’s unique ecosystems supporting signi?cant seabird biodiversity and endemic biota, nine further transformer weeds must be eradicated. In this review of progress to date, we examine the feasibility of eradication of these transformers and identify that four species are on target for eradication: African olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata), yellow guava (Psidium guajava), castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) and grape (Vitis vinifera). However, for four more species more sta? resources are required to achieve eradication as currently infestations are establishing faster than they are being eliminated: purple guava (Psidium cattleianum), black passionfruit (Passi?ora edulis), Brazilian buttercup (Senna septemtrionalis) and Mysore thorn (Caesalpinia decapetala). The ninth species, Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia), is being contained but presents logistical di?culties for e?ective control – herbicide resistant tubers and cli? locations requiring rope access in unstable terrain. Increasing the resources for this programme now to enable eradication of these transformer weeds will reduce the total long-term cost of the programme. Eradication of rats, the 2006 eruption, recent greater cyclone frequency, increased tourism requiring biosecurity management, and sta?ng reductions have all impacted progress on weed eradication. Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii), con?rmed in March 2017 as the latest invasive species on Raoul Island, is establishing on Kermadec pohutukawa (Metrosideros kermadecensis), the dominant canopy species. The impact of this species on the weed eradication programme is unknown at this point.
Eradication of invasive alien crayfish: past experiences and further possibilities
Biodiversity Conservation, BRB
Available Online

Sandodden, R.

2019
The EU regulation 1143/2014 “On the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species” entered into force on 1 January 2015. On 13 July 2016, the EU list of invasive alien species that require action was adopted. The list includes ?ve di?erent cray?sh species. Member states will be required to take measures for early detection and rapid eradication of these species. Except for some eradications performed in the United Kingdom and Norway, there has not been much e?ort put into eradication of invasive cray?sh species throughout Europe. The reasons for this are probably complex and di?er between member states. Are the main reasons legislative constraints, ability to eradicate or lack of knowledge and experience? Is eradication of alien cray?sh possible and desirable, and what is left to save in Europe? Focus could be put into identifying or creating island populations of special concern and preserve them for the future survival of European native cray?sh populations. Eradication measures should be considered as an option in this work. What are the experiences from completed eradication e?orts in Europe? Two cray?sh eradications have been performed in Norway, and both have been successful. The eradications were performed in locations with several ponds and small streams and performed using the synthetic pyrethroid-based pharmaceutical BETAMAX VET®. Both legislative and funding constraints seem less prominent as successful eradications have been con?rmed. Time will show if this trend will spread throughout Europe.