Protecting Native Wildlife of the Hauraki Gulf Islands – Island Conservation News

Islands account for only 5% of landmass on Earth, but their protection is vital for preserving biodiversity and preventing extinctions. On many small islands around the world, invasive rats threaten ecological healthby eating eggs and hatchlings of native species. Once introduced to one island, invasive rats can travel to the nearest land mass and quickly spread. In New Zealands Hauraki Gulf, a series of small, rocky islands has become a potential stepping stone pathway for the spread of invasive rats.

Sprinkled throughout the Hauraki Gulf are small rock stacks that host a broad range of species, but because rats can swim, these islands are often faced with a serious problem. James Russell of University of Auckland recently visited these small rocks to see if any unwanted predators made their way to these small rocks.

The tiny Frenchmans Cap islet in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. Credit: James Russell

On many of the smaller islands, rats do not have enough resources to establish a robust population, but they can still do significant damage to native species as they pass through. Endemic species such as the Stack H. Stag Beetle, native reptiles, and seabirds are often of highest concern when rats are introduced in the Hauraki Gulf.

Maria Island in the Hauraki Gulf was one of these small islands where rats caused substantial damage, but this invasion also marked New Zealands first rat eradication project and is now predator free. Now conservationists are concerned about Rororoa Island where rats swam to, but efforts are underway to remove them before they cause substantial damage.

A spotted shag colony on a tiny rock stack in the Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. Credit: James Russell

Biosecurity is New Zealands first line of defense in protecting these small islands. Further out in the Gulf, the tiny islands are home to seabirds such as Gannets and Spotted Shags, which would be at risk if invasive predators came ashore. Protecting these hotbeds of biodiversity requires frequent evaluations. Conservationists and scientist much regularly check to see if rats have made their way from one island to another. Luckily, Russells latest trip did not turn up any such surprises, but the monitoring will continue.

Featured photo: Spotted Shag. Credit: Bernard Spragg. NZ Source: National Geographic

Follow this link:

Protecting Native Wildlife of the Hauraki Gulf Islands - Island Conservation News

Related Posts
  • Water Purification Island [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Private Islands: South China Sea Style [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • The Best of Fiji [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • High Cay: Bahamas [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • The World: Back on the Market [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • The Island Market is Back [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Haunted Halloween Island [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Ambergris Island Property [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Paradise Sinking [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Parrot Cay: Own a Piece of Privacy [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • An Icky Day [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • It's a Cory's! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • There she blows! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Bye bye Whale [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • No Bunting Mistake [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Whale of a time... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Leaving day [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Look who's back... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Lanced... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Migrants role in... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Pups away! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Double take [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Northerly wind blows [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Northern visitors [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Siege! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Storm time [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Storm season [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Storming over [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Sealing mission [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Still no go [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Over they go! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • All change [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Welcome back storms [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Fight club [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • V Australia to Fiji [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Tahiti Sun Travel For Sale [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Cook Islands Travel Guide [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Perfectly Frank – Fiji [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Cook Islands Tax Hike [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Easter Island Travel Guide [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Surviving Paradise [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Canada Seal Hunt ‘09 [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Tuvalu Travel Guide [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Saudi Arabian Sojourn [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
  • Laurent Pichot on Moorea [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • The Largest Island for Sale in the World. [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Isla Kiniw: Incredible Island Rental [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Save at Sandals Resorts [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Marvelous Mediterranean: Skyropoula Island [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Branson Talks Necker Island [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Hog Island: Affordable Nova Scotia [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • The Banyan Tree: Seychelles [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Celebrity Secret Vacation Spots [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Star Island [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • 7 Islands in 7 Days [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Counting continues [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Life goes on [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Payback time [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • No let up [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Game on [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Deal or No Deal? [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Food glorious food [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Mainland beckons... [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • The tempest is coming [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Tought times ahead [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Tystie day [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Saying Goodbye...maybe [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Departure Day [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Seal pups [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Seabird Breeding Season 2009 [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • Maritime Terminal Papeete Tahiti [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
  • A splash of colour [Last Updated On: December 14th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 14th, 2009]
  • Tiger Woods Wife purchases Island Retreat [Last Updated On: December 15th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2009]
  • New Flights to Fiji [Last Updated On: December 18th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 18th, 2009]
  • Five Star Fiji [Last Updated On: December 19th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2009]
  • Go Farther in Nicaragua [Last Updated On: December 19th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 19th, 2009]
  • Zoo Island [Last Updated On: December 21st, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 21st, 2009]
  • Seasons Greetings 2009 [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2009]
  • Green Ark Island [Last Updated On: December 23rd, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2009]
  • Merry Christmas! [Last Updated On: December 25th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2009]

Comments are closed.