Pacific Island Restoration Challenges
Thursday, December 1, 8:30–11:45 am
Jefferson (Concourse Level)

Chairs:  Dr. Gordon Rodda and Dr. Robert Reed, U.S. Geological Survey – Fort Collins Science Center

Keynote:  Dr. Peter Vitousek, Stanford University – Department of Biology

Description:  The Pacific Islands, because of their isolation by distance and time, possess unique biological diversity. This evolutionary legacy also makes the natural biotic communities that DoD manages susceptible to anthropogenic disturbance, be it human development or the introduction of non-native species. In particular, introduced species that have become invasive have altered the composition, structure, and ecological function of Pacific Island ecosystems. Responses to date have focused primarily on control and eradication strategies for the worse invaders. In the long term, however, restoration strategies will need to recognize that non-native species will likely remain at certain levels and native species extirpations may not be reversed. As a result, this session looked beyond control of invasive species and examined other challenges associated with restoration, or recovery, of Pacific Island ecosystems and the implications of climate change for restoration.

START

END

TOPIC/TITLE

SPEAKER

ORGANIZATION

8:30 AM

8:40 AM

Welcome & Introduction by Session Chairs

Dr. Gordon Rodda and Dr. Robert Reed

U.S. Geological Survey – Fort Collins Science Center

8:40 AM

9:10 AM

KEYNOTE: Challenges to Pacific Island Restoration: Overview (Presentation — Abstract)

Dr. Peter Vitousek

Stanford University – Department of Biology

9:10 AM

9:35 AM

Unintended Consequences of Control of Invasive Species in the Pacific: The Case of the Brown Treesnake(Abstract)

Dr. Robert Reed

U.S. Geological Survey – Fort Collins Science Center

9:35 AM

10:00 AM

Pacific Island Restoration and the Impact of Multiple Interacting Invasive Species (Presentation — Abstract)

Dr. Joshua Tewksbury

University of Washington – Department of Biology

10:00 AM

10:20 AM

Break

10:20 AM

10:45 AM

Pacific Island Restoration, Invasive Species, and the Disruption of Mutualisms Involving Birds (Presentation Video — Abstract)

Dr. Haldre Rogers

Rice University – Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

10:45 AM

11:10 AM

Translocation as a Conservation Tool for Insular Avifauna (Presentation — Abstract)

Dr. Dylan Kesler

University of Missouri – Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

11:10 AM

11:35 AM

An Update on Conservation/Restoration in Hawaii in the Face of Unfolding Anthropogenic Change (Presentation — Abstract)

Dr. Lloyd Loope

U.S. Geological Survey – Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center

11:35 AM

11:45 AM

Discussion/Wrap-Up

Dr. Gordon Rodda and Dr. Robert Reed