Invasive Tree & Plant Eradication Program

General Information

The eradication program aims for a long-term resilient and diverse ecosystem. 5 out of the 45 plants on Kure are considered invasive; either because they have invaded large areas or appear to be adversely affecting the ecosystem.

The most damaging are V. encelioides and Cenchrus echinatus, both of which have caused drastic habitat changes on the island by forming monospecific stands and shading out or otherwise replacing native vegetation communities.

The ultimate target is complete eradication of Verbesina encelioides from Kure Atoll.

Eradication Strategy Invasive Species Negative Impacts of Invasive Species

The strategy comprises of 5 levels of action:
(1) prevention
(2) risk assessment and prioritization
(3) chemical and physical eradication
(4) restoration
(5) monitoring to evaluate success and aid in adaptive management

While our primary target is V. encelioides, concurrent eradication of all targeted species occurs in each area. So if there is an area where other invasive weeds are present, they are eradicated as well. This minimizes the potential of weeds taking over and decreases the time spent monitoring, thus, reducing the disturbance on birds.

Other invasive plants species targeted for eradication are:

Sandbur (Cenchrus echinatus)
Goosegrass Eleusine indica
Beach wire grass (Dactytocteniun aegyptium)
Alena haole (Boerhavia coccinea)
Ironwood Trees (Casuarina equisetifolia)
Bristly foxtail (Setaria verticillata)
Flaveria trinervia
Amaranthus spinosa
Kauna’oa pehu (Cassytha filiformis)

The spread of V. encelioides is implicated in the extinction of several endemic plant species and the range restriction of many others. In turn, nesting seabirds and invertebrates that depend on native vegetation for breeding habitat are negatively affected. V. encelioides may also be sustaining large populations of introduced ants and scale insects and has recently begun to encroach on dune habitat, compromising stability.

Finally, invasive weeds on Kure pose a threat to less invaded islands in the Northwest chain. Despite quarantine procedures, propagules from Kure can be introduced to less invaded islands via seabirds, migrants, or researchers, and as evidenced on Pearl and Hermes Reef, may rapidly become naturalized on an island.

Invasive Tree & Plant Eradication Program

General Information

Seabirds most directly displaced by monotypic stands of Verbesina

ʻAkihikēʻehiʻale – Tristram’s Storm Petril

ʻUaʻu Kani – Wedge-tailed Shearwater

Mōlī – Laysan Albatross

Kaʻupu – Blackfoot Albatross

ʻĀ – Brown Booby

ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #844

Contacts