The purpose of this blog is to inform as well as find out what people know about invasive species in Bermuda. Bermuda is a small island where many species tend to thrive. It is important to be educated on the invasive species that thrive on the island because they are a major threat to species that make our island so special.

THE PLANTS

Owing to the loss of Bermuda’s cedar trees many new species were introduced to the island to replace the dead cedars. According to Alison Copeland of the Bermuda Department of Conservation Services, “In Bermuda about 95 per cent of our flora is introduced as well as much of our terrestrial fauna, with invasive species causing extensive ecological problems”. These invasive plants species include plants like the Chinese Fan Palm and Casuarina, which have sadly become all too common on the island. These invasive plants are causing a number of issues ranging from taking resources from our few natives, destroying our limestone cliffs, harming soil and causing illnesses such as asthma.

Also according to a Royal Gazette article by the Department of Conservation Services, “social impacts include human health and safety problems but also interference with traditional lifestyles, aesthetic values and the enjoyment of natural areas”. Sadly our environment also is well suited for many of these species which allows them to grow in large numbers across the island.

THE ANIMALS

Bermuda has had issues with invasive animal species for a number of years. We have introduced a number of animal species over the years that have gone on to cause issues to the island ecosystem.

Some well-known examples of species that were introduced to Bermuda to act as pest control are the Anolis lizards and Kiskadee. According to the Bermuda Department of Environment and Natural Resources, “The Kiskadee was introduced to Bermuda from Trinidad in 1957 to control Anolis lizards. The Jamaican Anole had been brought to Bermuda in 1905 to control fruit flies that were damaging local crops”.

The Kiskadee would go on to prey on the island’s native birds instead of lizard species.

Other species however have simply spread to Bermuda such as the lionfish. The lionfish is one of if not the most harmful species to the island environment currently owing to it not having a natural predator, its large population and its habit of constantly eating other fish.

This is not only an environmental issue but an economic and health issue. Invasive species such as feral chickens and the giant land snail are known to cause a number of diseases and with the lionfish killing our fish we will lose revenue from people wishing to come and see our fish filled coral reef.

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