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Date Published: 26/11/2021
ARCHIVED - Experts recommend eradicating goats and sheep on Canary Islands
The invasive species are destroying the Canary Island’s native plant life
A recent study conducted by the University of La Laguna has concluded that the proliferation of invasive species are driving much of the native plant life to the brink of extinction on the Canary Islands.
"Invasive herbivores in the Canary Islands must be eradicated, or controlled if the former is not possible," insisted the authors of the report, who have proposed several concrete measures to save the island’s plant heritage.
Among the main culprits are non-native rabbits, goats and sheep which roam the Canaries unchecked, devouring plant life as they go. Rats, which are becoming an increasing problem all over Spain, are also contributing to the destruction of the local fauna.
The invasive species have cleared many areas completely of vegetation until the soil is exposed, increasing erosion and contributing heavily the ongoing desertification process.
In order to maintain the integrity of the native species of the Canary Islands, the experts believe that a more comprehensive roadmap needs to be developed, as the majority of “the endemic flora species do not have management plans or these are not being properly executed.”
The first and most vital step, according to the study, is to develop databases of the vulnerable endemic flora in order to manage and increase their abundance on the islands.
Overall, the study has concluded that it is “technically feasible and urgent” to eradicate the most destructive species and to impose strict controls on illegal farming in the future.
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