Ocean Sentry
Invasive alien species are affecting native wildlife in almost every corner of the Earth. “An unwanted by-product of globalization, non-native species are harming ecosystem services, livelihoods and economies throughout the world”, said Ban Ki-moon – United Nations Secretary-General.
Invasive alien species are plants, animals and other organisms that are not native to an ecosystem. Introduced species – such as rats and cats – are one of the greatest drivers of biodiversity loss, and have been implicated in almost half of all bird extinctions in the past five centuries.
In total, 625 Globally Threatened birds (51% of the total) are currently threatened by invasive alien species. The problem is especially acute on islands where long isolation has led to the evolution of species that often lack adequate defences against introduced species. “Three-quarters of all Globally Threatened bird species occurring on oceanic islands are at risk from introduced species”, said Don Stewart – Director for BirdLife International in the Pacific region.
Seabirds especially imperilled
Seabirds that use the open seas are particularly threatened, and have deteriorated in status the fastest of all bird groups over the last two decades. This is closely linked to the expansion of commercial longline fisheries in seabird feeding areas, combined with the impacts of invasive alien species at nesting colonies.
One example is the Critically Endangered Tristan Albatross, where chicks are being eaten alive by the invasive House Mice.
Alien species are contributing to the demise of seabird colonies throughout the Pacific.
(From wildlifeextra.com)
