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INVASIVE SPECIES HAWAII
In 1961, Hawaii introduced black-tailed deer to Kauai for sport hunting; a later survey found them across about half of sampled locationsIn 1961, Columbian black-tailed deer were introduced to Kauai primarily for sport hunting. Over the years, these non-native deer have proli...
In 1978, Japan released just 10 to 15 cane toads on Ishigaki Island; their population likely surpassed 20,000, and native snakes were found dead near the toadsA Japanese island's initiative to curb pests with cane toads resulted in unintended consequences. These invasive toads proliferated, wreaki...
After someone planted golden bamboo beside an Oʻahu road, the single ornamental planting escaped and grew into a 1-acre patch, crowding out native plantsGolden bamboo, once a beloved addition to gardens, is now recognized as an invasive menace. Its rapid growth through underground rhizomes t...
In 1917, botanist Joseph Rock introduced albizia to Hawai‘i for reforestation. Now it has infested thousands of acres in O‘ahu and eastern Hawai‘i IslandIntroduced to Hawaii in 1917 as a solution for reforestation, the Albizia tree quickly established itself as an invasive species. By 2018, ...
In 1905, Hawaii introduced mosquitofish to fight mosquitoes. More than 100 years later, the fish is threatening native wildlifeAn invasive species, mosquitofish, introduced to Hawaii in 1905 poses a significant threat to the islands' native freshwater ecosystem. The...
How a mosquitofish brought in to kill mosquito larvae became major freshwater ecosystem problemA fish introduced to Hawaii over a century ago now threatens native freshwater wildlife. The mosquitofish, brought to control mosquitoes, n...
In the early 1970s, Maui planted miconia for its spectacular purple leaves; its descendants spread across East Maui and threatened native forest watershedsIntroduced to Maui in the 1970s, Miconia calvescens, known as the velvet tree, has emerged as a significant invasive species. Its swift spr...
In the early 1900s, Hawaiʻi imported a thorny European shrub to feed sheep and fence pastures; it now forms 6-foot walls that fuel fires and sprout againGorse, introduced to Hawai'i around 1900 for sheep fodder and fences, has become a persistent invasive problem. This spiny shrub thrives in...
In 1922, California introduced mosquitofish to eat mosquito larvae; within four years, they were in 30 counties and were later linked to native-species declinesIn 1922, California introduced mosquitofish in hopes of controlling mosquito populations. Although they were initially viewed as a solution...
150 years ago, Britishers brought a South American tree to stop desertification in Thar, now it has become a thorny issue in IndiaVilayati babul, introduced during colonial times, remains a subject of ongoing debate. This invasive tree provided fuelwood and livelihoods...
In 1778, Captain James Cook’s crew released goats in Hawaii as a future food source; their descendants damaged native plants and worsened erosionCaptain Cook introduced goats to Hawaii in 1778, which then proliferated rapidly. These animals severely damaged native plants and altered ...
In 1935, an Australian entomologist shipped 102 cane toads from Hawaii to fight crop beetles; 2,400 were released before anyone tested the planAustralian scientists introduced toxic cane toads to control sugar cane pests in 1935. These toads failed to eat the target beetles and spr...
From a 1937 garden planting to an ecological crisis: One Miconia tree now spreads 8.9 million seeds, endangering Queensland's iconic rainforestsToday, a single mature Miconia tree can produce over 8.9 million seeds in one season. What began as a 1937 garden introduction in tahiti ha...
Since 1969, Florida has battled the giant African land snail, smuggled in as exotic pets; the fist-sized invader eats 500 plant species and even the plaster off housesGiant African land snails, introduced as pets, caused a major Florida crisis. These hermaphroditic snails reproduce prolifically, laying hu...
Hawaii, in the late 1800s, planted Leucaena trees for fodder and fuelwood, but scientists now say the invasive trees have replaced native habitats that evolved nowhere else on EarthHawaii's idyllic image belies a significant ecological challenge: Leucaena, an introduced shrub, now covers 10% of the islands. Brought for...
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Isn’t Empty, It’s Becoming a Floating HabitatOnce seen as a barren plastic wasteland, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is now a thriving habitat for coastal species. These organisms, pr...
Scientists release last five Hawaiian crow that went extinct in the wild decades agoFive Hawaiian crows, or 'alala', extinct in the wild since 2002, were released on Maui on Wednesday in a bid to restore the species. This m...
More than 20% of Earth's plant species found only on islands and time is running out to save themA study in Nature reveals that islands, covering just 5.3% of the planet's land, harbor 21% of the world's plant biodiversity. Urgent conse...
Four of six great apes species face extinction
Newly discovered crustacean species named after Sir Elton JohnScientists have discovered a small 'hitchhiking' coral reef crustacean species in Indonesia, and named it after English composer and singer...