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Climate Change Matters. Issue 64, May 2019.

SPREP Publications, Climate Change Resilience

Available Online

Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme.

A milestone visit to the Pacific by the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Gutiérrez, also provided a platform to discuss climate change with Pacific Leaders

Mainstreaming ocean acidification into national policies: a handbook for Pacific islands.

SPREP Publications, Climate Change Resilience

Available Online

McIntosh, R D

Turner, J

Ocean acidification can be considered a stress multiplier for coral reefs, as it combines with other stresses that corals are currently facing, i.e., rising sea surface temperatures, increasing frequency...

Eradication of mice from Antipodes Island, New Zealand

Biodiversity Conservation, BRB

Available Online

Elliott, G.

Greene, T.

Horn, S.

In winter 2016, the New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) eradicated mice (Mus musculus) from the Antipodes Islands located at 49°S 178°E, 760 km south-east of New Zealands South Island. Mice were the only mammalian pest species present. They have extensively impacted the abundance and survival of invertebrates, with likely secondary impacts on endemic terrestrial birds and nesting seabird fauna. Public-private partnerships with DOC instigated the project and provided essential financial support. Baseline scientific data for operational planning and outcome monitoring were collected by a research expedition in July 2013 and project planning began in 2014. At the time of writing, this is the largest eradication of mice undertaken where mice are the sole mammalian pest species. Logistical challenges were complicated by a broad range of regulatory obligations. The expedition-style project used a ship to deliver a team and equipment to Antipodes Island where they established camp and remained until the completion of baiting. Bait spread was completed incrementally as weather allowed, comprehensively covering the islands in two separate treatments between 18 June 2016 and 12 July 2016. The last sign of mice was detected 20 days after the fi rst application of bait and the eradication of mice was confirmed by monitoring in late summer 2018. Public engagement was achieved with regular operational updates across multiple platforms and positive media coverage. Non-toxic bait trials accurately predicted some by-kill of pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae steindachneri) but did not anticipate poisoning of some Antipodes parakeet (Cyanoramphus unicolor) and Reischeks parakeet (Cyanoramphus hochstetteri). Known pest-free islands were not baited, providing refuge for land birds to mitigate the risk. Fledging success of Antipodean albatross (Diomedea antipodensis antipodensis) chicks was not impacted by the operation and those species that were affected had recovered by summer 2018.

Rat eradication in the Pitcairn Islands, South Pacific: a 25-year perspective

Biodiversity Conservation, BRB

Available Online

Brooke, M.de L.

This essay offers a 25-year overview of eff orts to remove Pacific rats (Rattus exulans) from the four islands of the Pitcairn group. Following the 19911992 discovery that rats were severely reducing breeding success of gadfly petrels (Pterodroma spp.), Wildlife Management International proposed eradication. Eradication success was achieved using ground-based baiting on the small atolls of Ducie and Oeno in 1997, and there is now evidence of petrel recovery on Oeno, but two eradication attempts on inhabited Pitcairn (1997 and 1998) failed. By the early 2000s, the development of aerial baiting through the 1990s placed an eradication operation on the fourth island, Henderson, within reach. Preparatory fieldwork in 2009 allayed doubts in two key areas: the feasibility of maintaining a captive back-stop Henderson rail (Porzana atra) population, and bait uptake by crabs (Coenobita spp.). Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) expertise secured the necessary funding of £1.5 million, and 75 tonnes of brodifacoum-containing bait were dropped in August 2011. Despite extensive mortality of free-living rails, the population, supplemented by released captive birds, returned to pre-operational levels in 23 years. Meanwhile those tending captive rails saw no rat sign before leaving Henderson in November 2011. Unfortunately, a rat was sighted in March 2012, and continuing rat presence confirmed in May 2012. Subsequently rat numbers have returned to pre-operational levels without any sign of population overshoot as observed on Pitcairn. Genetic analysis suggests around 80 rats, roughly 1 in 1,000, survived the bait drop. With no evidence of imperfect bait coverage or deficiencies in bait quality or brodifacoum resistance, it seems some animals chose not to eat bait. Choice tests on Henderson Island rats suggest some rats prefer natural foods over bait. This adverse situation may have been exacerbated because, in August 2011, natural fruits were more abundant than anticipated due to drought earlier in the year. To overcome rat preference for natural food, any second Henderson attempt might benefit from more attractive bait. Without such developments, a second attempt risks another failure. Hendersons biota will survive the delay.

Containment of invasive grey squirrels in Scotland: meeting the challenge

Biodiversity Conservation, BRB

Available Online

Bryce, J.

Tonkin, M.

Saving Scotlands Red Squirrels (SSRS), launched in 2009, is a project to stop the decline of core populations of Scotlands native red squirrel. It is a partnership project between Scottish Wildlife Trust, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates and the Red Squirrel Survival Trust. The aim is the containment of the invasive non-native grey squirrel, which poses a dual threat to red squirrels through competition and disease transmission. Grey squirrels have replaced red squirrels over much of their former range in England, Wales, Ireland and central Scotland. SSRS controls grey squirrels at a landscape-scale in three strategically selected zones: in north-east Scotland, where the aim is eradication of an isolated grey squirrel population; coast to coast along the Highland Boundary Fault the aim is to prevent northwards incursion of grey squirrels into the Scottish Highlands and Argyll, where red squirrel is still the only species; and in southern Scotland, the aim is now to prevent replacement of priority red squirrel populations by focussing control in areas identifi ed as having the best prospects for the long-term maintenance of red squirrel populations. Control methods involve live cage-trapping combined with humane dispatch. The control network comprises SSRS and Forestry Commission controllers, private landowners supported by EU/government funding and a large number of individual volunteers. The work is dependent on wide public acceptance and active volunteer support. To date SSRS has been successful at signifi cantly reducing grey squirrel geographic range and occupancy in NE Scotland and as well as reducing the incidence of grey squirrels north of the Highland Line to no more than the occasional occurrence. In southern Scotland grey squirrel control has contributed to the maintenance of red squirrel populations despite the continued spread of squirrelpox in grey squirrels. The major challenge now is sustaining the level of grey squirrel control needed to secure Scotlands red squirrel populations in the long term. A new project phase started in 2017, focused on building community action networks until such a time as alternatives means of controlling grey squirrel numbers and disease impacts become widely available.

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.

McClelland, G.T.W.

OKeefe, S.

Warren, P.

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.

Traditional knowledge of weather and climate in the Pacific.

Climate Change Resilience

Available Online

Increasing Community Resilience to Climate Extremes and Natural Disasters. By closely observing their local environment, communities in the Pacific have developed skills that enable them to build coping strategies for extreme weather and climate events. They are able to make their own predictions for weather and climate variables based on traditional knowledge that has evolved through observation and experience over a considerable period of time.

Lessons on effectiveness and long-term prevention from broad-scale control of invasive alien species in Scotlands rivers and lochs

Biodiversity Conservation, BRB

Available Online

Horrill, J.C.

Oliver, M.K.

Stubbs Partridge, J.

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 Scotlands 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

Available Online

Havell, D.

West, C.J.

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 Islands 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.

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.

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