Abstract
This research paper looks at the impact of the Asian Mongoose on the Hawaiian Islands, and how their existence has put the Hawaiian Islands in a cataclysmic downward spiral within some aspects of their ecosystem. The Asian mongoose has done more than just interfere with the biological stages of the islands it has also been a major hindrance to the economy. The introduction of the Asian mongoose to Hawaii could very well eliminate certain species of birds along the islands. The Asian mongoose was suggested to the sugar farmers of Hawaii from Jamaican sugar cane farmers to control the rats that lived in the fields. This turned out to be a disastrous idea. This release of the mongoose happened in or about the 1880’s and has been plaguing …show more content…
Who would have realized that the single release could have resulted in such a huge turn of events? The ecological burden introduced to the islands of Hawaii spans well beyond the sugar canes fields of the big island of Hawaii. All throughout Hawaii there are signs of invasion, especially when it comes to the avian population. A record number of the bird species has become critically close to extinction. To include the following birds: “the ne-ne or Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis), the Alala or Hawaiian crow (Corvus Hawaiiensis), the Koloa or Hawaiian duck (Anas wyvilliana), the alae ke‘oke‘o or Hawaiian coot (Fulica alai), the ae‘o or Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), the alae ‘ula or Hawaiian gallinule (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis), the ‘ua‘u or Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), and the ‘a‘o or Newell shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli).” (Hayes, Conant). These are just from the bird population! This just proves that the invasiveness of a single species can totally change how the ecosystem can function. Many other species have been affected by the Asian Mongoose, reptiles for instance have seen a dramatic decline in their reproduction. Today, many mongooses have turned to eating the eggs of reptiles due to the lack of the bird population. This has made the sea turtle population start to see a lowering in reproduction and new birth
This research paper looks at the impact of the Asian Mongoose on the Hawaiian Islands, and how their existence has put the Hawaiian Islands in a cataclysmic downward spiral within some aspects of their ecosystem. The Asian mongoose has done more than just interfere with the biological stages of the islands it has also been a major hindrance to the economy. The introduction of the Asian mongoose to Hawaii could very well eliminate certain species of birds along the islands. The Asian mongoose was suggested to the sugar farmers of Hawaii from Jamaican sugar cane farmers to control the rats that lived in the fields. This turned out to be a disastrous idea. This release of the mongoose happened in or about the 1880’s and has been plaguing …show more content…
Who would have realized that the single release could have resulted in such a huge turn of events? The ecological burden introduced to the islands of Hawaii spans well beyond the sugar canes fields of the big island of Hawaii. All throughout Hawaii there are signs of invasion, especially when it comes to the avian population. A record number of the bird species has become critically close to extinction. To include the following birds: “the ne-ne or Hawaiian goose (Branta sandvicensis), the Alala or Hawaiian crow (Corvus Hawaiiensis), the Koloa or Hawaiian duck (Anas wyvilliana), the alae ke‘oke‘o or Hawaiian coot (Fulica alai), the ae‘o or Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), the alae ‘ula or Hawaiian gallinule (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis), the ‘ua‘u or Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), and the ‘a‘o or Newell shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli).” (Hayes, Conant). These are just from the bird population! This just proves that the invasiveness of a single species can totally change how the ecosystem can function. Many other species have been affected by the Asian Mongoose, reptiles for instance have seen a dramatic decline in their reproduction. Today, many mongooses have turned to eating the eggs of reptiles due to the lack of the bird population. This has made the sea turtle population start to see a lowering in reproduction and new birth