Invasive species threatening island birds

[Eldorado]

Human colonisation of Hawaii, the Mascarenes and New Zealand has resulted in the extinction of more than two thirds of native species. Scientists are exploring how the disappearance of endemic birds has impacted unique island flora.

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Animals and plants that have made their homes on islands arrived via wind, swimming or floating on natural rafts.

The physical isolation of the islands limits the migration of other new species, reducing the number and variety of predators and competitors.

While mainland species evolve based on survival of the fittest, species on islands develop based on interdependency, mutualism and co-evolution.

This makes them highly specialised on islands with fewer predators and competitors, but less adept at handling invasive species.

Full article at the UK Natural History Museum: Link