Habit restoration on Catalina Island

"THE PLAN TO INCREASE THE RESILIENCY OF CATALINA ISLAND
IS BACKED BY SCIENCE"

The arrival of humans and the transported landscapes that they brought with them, altered the ecosystem throughout the Channel Islands. With the help of biologists, ecologists, and archaeologists, scientists have identified plant and animal species that have been introduced by humans as well as those that have gone extinct. While some of these transported landscapes were likely intentional and some may not have been, all have had an impact by altering the ecosystem of the Channel Islands.

In many parts of the world, a "natural state" is impossible to define. Archaeology contributes to these past baselines, but it is still up to conservationists today to choose what time period sets the tone for modern goals.  Islands are unique in two ways. On one hand, they are particularly susceptible to invasion of non-endemic plant and animal species. On the other hand, islands present a unique environment where the archaeological record can provide clues to help identify when plant or animal species arrived, whether or not that corresponds with the arrival of humans, and what impact they may have had on the ecosystem. In the Channel Islands. Because of this, islands are often studied to add to the body of knowledge about ecosystems and human impacts on them (Hofman and Rick, 2018).

Much debate surrounds if, when, or how non-endemic plant or animal species are handled, causing frequent clashes between modern residents and conservationists. For instance, over at least the last 13,000 years, there have been many groups that inhabited, settled, used, or explored the Channel islands. In all instances, there was the opportunity for non-endemic species to be introduced to the ecosystem.

Founded in 1972, the Catalina Island Conservancy is a non-profit public charity working to restore and protect Catalina Island for future generations to experience and enjoy. One of their objectives is restoration of the ecosystem to as natural state as possible.  These efforts have not been without pushback. The current debate centers on the mule deer that were brought to Catalina to hunt and promote tourism. With no natural predators on the island, the mule deer population is unsustainable and harmful. Their grazing damages native vegetation,  contributes to the loss of native plant species, allows for the spread of non-endemic grasses, and causes soil erosion. The Conservancy proposed culling 2000 deer but was met with opposition, some of which from families with generational ties to the island that claim a cultural tie to hunting. Previous to the mule deer, goats and pigs were successfully removed from the island as part of their ecological restoration projects. Citing the invasive grass species that acted as fuel in the deadly fires of Lahaina, the urgency of these projects is understandable (Invasive Species News). 

Beginning in the 1920's various mammals have been removed from the Channel Islands. For a list, more information about the science behind, and updates about Catalina island ecological restoration, visit the Catalina Island Conservancy's website. 

"Landscape level conservation management requires an interdisciplinary approach where ecologists, taxonomists, archaeologists, geologists, historians, botanists, wildlife biologists, social scientists and others work together to increase understanding of the Island’s natural systems."