Abstract
Non-native mammals are major drivers of ecosystem change and biodiversity loss; this is especially apparent on islands. However, techniques exist to remove non-native mammals, providing a powerful conservation tool. Conservation practitioners are now targeting larger islands for restoration. Leveraging existing and developing new techniques and technologies will prove critical to successful eradications on large islands. Using the removal of introduced goats (Capra hircus) from Santiago Island, Galápagos as a case study, we present a suite of Geographic Information System (GIS) tools that aid island conservation actions. GIS tools were incorporated into the three phases of the eradication campaign: planning, hunting, and monitoring. Further, these tools were adopted for three eradication techniques: ground-based hunting, aerial hunting by helicopter, and Judas goats. These geographic approaches provide a foundation for statistical, spatial, and economic analyses that should increase the capability and efficiency of removal campaigns. Given limited conservation funds and the dire status of many insular species, efficiently removing non-native mammals from islands is of paramount global conservation importance.
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Acknowledgements
This work was accomplished with the support of Project ECU/00/G31 “Control of Invasive Species in the Galápagos Archipelago”, a donation from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to the Ecuadorian Government, represented by the Ministry of Environment. The Project is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and is executed by the Galápagos National Park Service (GNPS), Charles Darwin Foundation (aisbl; CDF), National Institute for Galápagos and Ecuadorian Service for Agriculture and Livestock Sanitation—Galápagos. The opinions expressed herein belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of GEF/UNDP. Additional support was provided by Cornell University, Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, Howard Snell (University of New Mexico), Charles Darwin Foundation Inc (now named Galapagos Conservancy), Lindblad Expeditions, European Friends of Galápagos Organizations, the GNPS, TAME Airlines, and the CDF. We thank Prohunt New Zealand Ltd for valuable inputs and for the initial development of the rastrillo hunting method. Bruce Coblentz and an anonymous reviewer improved this manuscript. CDF contribution 1016.
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Lavoie, C., Donlan, C.J., Campbell, K. et al. Geographic Tools for Eradication Programs of Insular Non-native Mammals. Biol Invasions 9, 139–148 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-006-9011-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-006-9011-y