| The Island Ecosystem of Ambergris CayeAs we all know, islands are beautiful and fascinating environments. They are home to a great number of species of plants and animals. It is difficult to know what sort of plants and animals existed on Ambergris Caye thousands of years ago, but it's safe to say that some of the species that we see today are not the same as the initial species. Islands are unique ecosystems because they are isolated; thus species have the opportunity to evolve much faster, almost an accelerated form of Natural Selection.
Likewise, this isolation also makes
island ecosystems incredibly susceptible to outside, or introduced
species. Ambergris Caye, is an island that is particularly rich because
of the presence of the world's second largest barrier reef. This reef, as
it turns out, was responsible for the creation of the island, estimated
The ecosystem of Ambergris Caye
subsequently evolved in relative isolation. Thus, when new species are
introduced, the indigenous (native) plants and animals do not have the
appropriate defenses to fend them off. These exotic species encounter an
abundance of food and little or no predators, so they thrive and
ultimately threaten indigenous species. Ambergris Caye has faced the
introduction of many exotic species, including rodents, cats, dogs, green
iguanas, and many insects. Most notably, the recent introduction of the
Pink Hibiscus Mealy bug has threatened hibiscus plants, as well as other
plants, such as the sea grape.
There is no doubt, however, that the
exotic specie that has most significantly impacted the island ecosystem
is the human being. Humans are responsible for introducing many of the
exotic species in the first place. Hotel establishments, for example, are
responsible for introducing new plant species, which often carry diseases
or insects to the island. These new species can often lead indigenous
species into extinction. The World Conservation Monitoring Center
reported that 75% of the 484 recorded animal extinctions since 1600 were
island endemic species (species found nowhere else in the world). Of
these, introduced species were responsible for 67% of the
extinctions.
Many islands across the world are facing
problems resulting in the loss of indigenous species. A small island off
of the Pacific Coast of Baja, California is an example of an island that
is turning things around. The island experienced a significant loss in
seabirds and lizards due to the presence of cats and rats. After
eradicating the exotic species with the use of bait traps, as well as
educating the community on island conservation, the island population of
seabirds and lizards is finally making a comeback.
The ecosystem of Ambergris Caye is
relatively in balance, but we should take heed to the recent introduction
of exotic species. Efforts need to be made to control additional exotic
species from making this island their home. The Saga Society, for one, is
making an effort to control the pet population on the island. We should
keep in mind that the island ecosystem is extremely fragile and requires
very little to upset its balance.
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