Conservation Society of Pohnpei &Pohnpei iSTOP Report MICRONESIA REGIONAL INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL (RISC) iSOP activities since the last MCES in March 2013 Strategic Action Plan (SAP) has been finalized in November 2013 and implementation of old and new activities have started. Invasive Species Coordinator (ISC) Pohnpei has two ISCs one is Bejay Obispo from CSP and the other one is a part time (50%) Konrad Englberger from Pohnpei Agriculture. Outreach/Education this activity was mainly conducted by one of our NGO the Conservation Society of Pohnpei (CSP). During the last six months three school visits and one radio program was made. There has been a good response to our public awareness program resulting that people report invasive species and most people cooperate in control programs. Eradication of invasive plant species good achievements have been made, one of the six targeted species (Octopus tree, Schefflera actinophylla)) has been eradicated in 2013. The five others are: False sakau ,Piper auritum from 127 known sites 124, sites are eradicated (97%) 3 active sites Chain of love, Antigonon leptopus, from 34 known sites 33, are eradicated (94%) and 2 active sites Ivy gourd, Coccina grandis, from 15 known sites, 14 are eradicated (93%) and 1 active site Honolulu rose, Clerodendrum chinense, from 7 known sites, 5 eradicated (71%) 2 active sites Purple Trumpet vine, Thunbergia grandifora, from 12 known sites, 9 eradicated (75%) 3 active sites Feral Pigeon, Columba liviavar, from 5 know sites 4 eradicated (80%) 1 active During the last six months two new sites with chain of love and one false sakau site found and treated. Also some of the old, active sites were treated. Mile-a-minute, Mikania micranta, was originally targeted for eradication, after 12 years of eradication activities, in November 2013 it was decided that the areas under Mile-a-minute are getting to large and there is a lack of cooperation form the community and insufficient funding for a large control program, Mile-a-minute was moved from eradication to control/ and management program. It is planned to jointly work with Palau on introducing the rust for biological control of Mile-a-minute. The following species targeted for Control and Management: 1. Mile a Minute, Mikania micanta 2. Koster’s Curse, Clidema hirta 3. African Tulip, Spathodea campanulata 4. Tree Sparrow, Passer montanus 5. Catfish, Plotosus lineatus 6. Milkfish, Chanos chanos 7. Tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus 8. Crown of Thorns, Acanthaster planci From these eight species two, Mile-a-minute and Kosters curse are targeted for biological control. Kerosene Tree Paraserianthes falcataria it is planned to identify technical assistance to conduct a study of toxicity and effects on the ecosystem. Other activities: It is planned to work in close cooperation with the Attorney General to develop law enforcement…… Community Outreach/School Visits March 2013..Invasive Presentation to Saladak Elementary School July 2013…Invasive Presentation to Science Class @ College of Micronesia August 2013..Invasive Presentation to Youth Group & Church Leaders in AWAK village September 2013…Invasive Presentation @ the 1st Pohnpei Environmental Symposium September 2013…Awareness of Invasive Species through Radio Spot November 2013…Invasive Presentation @ the 10th Annual Cross Site Visit in Kitti Municipal
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 00:46:24 +0000