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Global
Insular Conservation Society |
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Global
Insular Conservation Society |
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GICS
pushes back again the Australian Pine invasion
Edgar Fortune, Rickey Escobar and horticulturist Dave Bobbroff spent 7 days on Sandy Cay in June 2009 on a restoration effort cutting down the invasive Australian pine a tree that aggressively and effectively displaces native species disrupting the delicate balance on these isolated islands. As native flora are displaced by the invasive species - native fauna loose their natural food sources. On a small island this can mean extinction for such fragile species.
The trees were deliberately planted on neighboring islands by residents looking for an effective screen against the winds, Australian Pine has a deserving reputation as a very hardy and effective plant for this purpose however residents are finding out the hard way what many communities already know - like the kudzu vine it's an invasive species that once given a chance to take hold can be very difficult to remove. |
The largest trees were the easiest to remove as they were simply cut 6" above the ground and working quickly garlone (a very effective herbicide) is applied, drawn into the wound and fed directly to the root to ensure the tree does not return.
The smaller trees took much more effort due to sheer numbers however armed with loppers, hand saws and garlone. Future efforts will be necessary to continue the battle against the Australian Pine and GICS will be there with saws in hand.
The trees, branches and boughs were piled on the beach and burned to the sand in an effort to keep them from coming back once removed. It's a long hard battle but one that needs to be fought on behalf of the inhabitants, both flora and fauna, of these remote and fragile islands. |
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 Just one of many happy residents thankful for GICS and their efforts to restore their fragile habitat.
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Conservation
Spotlight Known as the "Rainforests by the Sea" Mangrove Forests are vital for the health and survival of island ecosystems between 32°N and 38°S around the world. Once covering over 36 million hectares - today less than half that amount remains. Flora and Fauna rely heavily on the mangroves for survival; over 75% of tropical commercial fish spend some portion of their life cycle dependant on the forests. Whether it is their falling leaves providing nutrients or their roots below providing a safe haven for adults and eggs their is an inextricable link between the mangroves and the species which depend on them. As the Mangroves disappear ultimately so do the species that rely upon them. GICS is proud to support and endorse the work being done by MAP - the Mangrove Action Project. For more information please visit their site as well as refer to the paper written by Alfredo Quarto, MAP Director, describing the Mangrove Forest, the benefits it brings and the dangers that surround it's very existence. |
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