Day one. After settling in the B and B in the early morning hours, listening to the weather report and deciding to change my schedule due to rain the following day, I left for the wharf to catch the ferry to Rangitoto Island. At the wharf, many warnings are given about transporting Bio-hazards, which include seeds, rats, mice, and skinks. Rangitoto is the newest of the islands that make up New Zealand. The volcano erupted about 600 years ago and created the unfriendly land mass. Upon disembarking the ferry, the history of reclaiming Rangitoto as a natural area by the citizens of NZ, with support from the DOC (Department of Conservation), was well documented and posted. In the last two hundred years, the island was used as a recreational location for social occasions as well as a permanent residence for a few families. Non-native species, such as the wallaby, were introduced to the island, which later shook the balance of the ecosystem. The possum also invaded the island and together, the two marsupials stripped trees of their foliage, causing forests to be decimated. Also rats, mice, and skinks would stowaway on boats or slip into camping equipment, luggage, or packages which added to the imbalance of the ecosystem. Volunteers in the 1970's worked with the approval of DOC to reclaim Rangitoto to its original native ecosystem. The island does not support a large variety of birds as it is not friendly to most due to a lack of fresh water and food. But, a few species of birds will nest on Rangitoto. The possums would eat the eggs and baby birds, throwing the ecosystem further out of balance. Volunteers set traps to catch mice,
rats, possums and wallabies. Ants and skinks were eradicated. The process was long and arduous and even continues today as some pests continue to find transport to the island. Pets are not allowed on the island, although, on my ferry, there was DOC dog trained to sniff out unwanted inhabitants. Some questions that came to my mind as I was experiencing the first of several reclaimed ecosystems are: Why do we not aggressively work towards eradication of non-native species in some ecosystems? How can we rally volunteers to tackle these issues as done in NZ? Why are we so seemingly "behind" in this type of ecosystem reclamation?
Interesting that the New Zealanders are so thorough in their inspections, but to answer your last question. Ms. Moore, I think that the U.S. is a "bit" too large to try and get rid of all its non-native species.
ReplyDeleteBesides, that would be a project that could take a hundred years to fully succeed, and I'm not certain that some people would be willing to wait that long.
Though I must ask; what is a skink, exactly?
~Ava
Ava, sorry I overlooked this post. New Zealand is making certain islands and a few fenced locations predator free, but it takes a lot of work and time. you are right, we would never be able to get rid of all non-native species throughout the country, and neither can NZ. They have a major problem with feral cats eating penguin eggs, as well as the possum and rats. Native Maori actually brought the Polynesian rat with them, sadly. The skink is like a lizard that lives under rocks and fallen trees. They can loose their tail when threatened, sound familiar? Lots of good discussions on these topics when I get back.
DeleteThis sounds like the problem they have in the Florida Everglades with pythons. -Gabriel C.
ReplyDeleteYes Gabriel, it is very similar! Good connection :-)
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