Invasive vertebrate eradications on islands as a tool for implementing global Sustainable Development Goals

Luz A De Wit,Donald A Croll,Paulo Quadri,Kelly M Zilliacus,Nick Holmes,Bernie Tershy,Gregg R Howald,Dena Spatz,Nelson Grima,David Will

doi:10.1017/s0376892920000211

Abstract

SummaryThe United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development sets a framework of universal Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address challenges to society and the planet. Island invasive species eradications have well-documented benefits that clearly align with biodiversity conservation-related SDGs, yet the value of this conservation action for socioeconomic benefits is less clear. We examine the potential for island invasive vertebrate eradications to have ecological and socioeconomic benefits. Specifically, we examine: (1) how SDGs may have been achieved through past eradications; and (2) how planned future eradications align with SDGs and associated targets. We found invasive vertebrate eradication to align with 13 SDGs and 42 associated targets encompassing marine and terrestrial biodiversity conservation, promotion of local and global partnerships, economic development, climate change mitigation, human health and sanitation and sustainable production and consumption. Past eradications on 794 islands aligned with a median of 17 targets (range 13–38) by island. Potential future eradications on 292 highly biodiverse islands could align with a median of 25 SDG targets (range 15–39) by island. This analysis enables the global community to explicitly describe the contributions that invasive vertebrate management on islands can make towards implementing the global sustainable development agenda.

Highlights

Invasive species, invasive vertebrates, have contributed to c. 60% of historical extinctions (Bellard et al 2016, Doherty et al 2016) and are the primary driver of extinctions on islands (Tershy et al 2015, Bellard et al 2016)
We developed a framework to assess how the potential biodiversity and socioeconomic benefits of invasive vertebrate eradication align with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and we use this framework to examine: (1) the SDGs that may have been achieved through past eradications; and (2) how planned future eradications align with SDGs and associated targets
Of the 17 UN SDGs and 169 associated targets, we found the benefits of invasive vertebrate eradication to align with 13 SDGs and 42 associated targets (Supplementary Information S2)

Summary

Introduction

Invasive vertebrates, have contributed to c. 60% of historical extinctions (Bellard et al 2016, Doherty et al 2016) and are the primary driver of extinctions on islands (Tershy et al 2015, Bellard et al 2016). It is well established that biodiversity and human well-being are linked (Díaz et al 2018), including evidence that invasive vertebrates impact local economies and food security through crop damage, erosion and biodiversity losses, and some of these invasive vertebrates are known to transmit zoonotic pathogens to island human residents (Stenseth et al 2003, Doherty et al 2016, de Wit et al 2019) An analysis of these benefits is especially relevant for small island developing states (SIDS) and other islands with developing economies, many of which host some of the most globally important, threatened biodiversity (Kier et al 2009) and isolated human populations with limited economic development opportunities (Pelling & Uitto 2001, Scheyvens & Momsen 2008). A comprehensive review of the impacts of invasive vertebrates on biodiversity, ecosystem processes, human well-being and economic development can identify opportunities where eradication can benefit biodiversity, ecosystems and human communities

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Conclusion