Capra hircus

We delineated 10 plots of 1000 m2, goats were introduced to five plots and five plots remained without goats [...] Species Crucinella macrostachya a Plantago crética had significant interactions betwe treatment and patch type (FU6 = 11.97, P = 0.0 for C. macrostachya and F1>16 = 4.96, P =■ 0. for P. crética). Both species showed a significa lower average frequency in browsed plots (0.2 and 0 for C. macrostachya and 0. 1 8 and 0.04 for P. crética , control and browsed plots, respectively) (Gabay et al, 2011). The first steps in the restoration effort on the island were to inventory existing plant species and build a series of fences (exclosures) to exclude goats from sensitive areas. [...] Plant response inside the exclosures was rapid and positive. In January 2002, after only one growing season, 47 seedlings of the endemic pine had sprouted inside one of the exclosures built around nine adult pine trees. It is estimated there are 220 adult pine trees on the island (Rogers et al. 2003), so this one growing season produced a greater than 20% increase in the number of pines on the island (Keitt et al. 2005). This study determined the intensity of bark stripping of mamane (Sophora chrysophylla), a small endemic leguminous tree, by these animals and assessed the impact of their browsing on the size class structure of mamane stands [...] At higher elevations the distributions indicated that sprout and seed ling regeneration have been suppressed, completely so near tree line. Sheep and goats were undoubtedly responsible. [...] In the present case, feral sheep and goats suppress mamane regeneration in some areas of the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve, thus altering the forest structure. Prolonged suppression could further endangering the Palila by reducing the size of the forest (Scowcroft et al., 1983).

The most likely causes for a decrease in fruit bat Pteropus mariannus abundance on Anatahan during the past decade involve mortality from chronic illegal hunting and declining food resources induced by goat and pig damage to the island's forests. Although the extent of hunting losses are unknown, human visitation to the island has expanded significantly since 1984 and has probably been accompanied by a commensurate increase in the take of bats. However, without simultaneous counts on the islands north of Anatahan, emigration cannot be excluded as an additional contributing factor in the population's apparent decline. (Worthington et al. 2001)

Data on vegetational changes on Pinta Island, Gal~ipagos, collected during the period 1970-1988, show that feral goats have had a destructive impact on the vegetation. Stands of Scalesia baurii ssp. hopkinsii (Asteraceae) and Opuntia galapageia var. galapageia (Cactaceae) were close to a complete collapse, while stands of Bursera graveolens (Burseraceae) apparently were able to persist for a longer time. After the elimination of large numbers of goats, Scalesia, Opuntia and Bursera were recovering rapidly, but the patterns of regeneration differed in accordance with differences in longevity, growth and seedling establishment. [...] . (Hamann, 1993) To assess vegetation characteristics we established four 50 m transects, one in each cardinal direction. We measured the presence of vegetation along the entire length of each transect and averaged the values for a measure of percent vegetation cover. [...] Grazing status of an island significantly affects the estimated plant species density (p = 0.00676, F2,13 = 7.521, ANOVA). Islands with goats removed have significantly fewer species relative to both grazed and ungrazed islands; [...] Percent vegetation cover is significantly lower (p = 0.004, F2,13 = 8.438, ANOVA) in both grazed (25.96%) and goat-removed (38.56%) islands relative to the ungrazed sample. Plant biomass also decreases significantly (p = 0.00267, F2,13 = 9.679, ANOVA), with grazed islands experiencing a decline to an average of 66.4% of the baseline (Fig. 2c). Mean plant height (p = 0.013, F2,13 = 6.174, ANOVA) is on average 63.64% shorter on grazed islands and 64.85% shorter on goat-removed islands relative to ungrazed islands (Fig. 2d). [...] Plant species composition differed significantly among the islands of different grazing status (p = 0.005, R = 0.357, ANOSIM). [...] All of our study islands are uninhabited and ecologically similar to each other, with no other known introduced herbivores such as rabbits. (Gizicki et al. 2018) The first steps in the restoration effort on the island were to inventory existing plant species and build a series of fences (exclosures) to exclude goats from sensitive areas. [...] We have also made exciting discoveries outside of the exclosures. [...] In June 2001 we found Calamintha (Satureja) palmeri in small patches around the north end of the island. This mint family member was first described in 1876 and had not been seen since 1885, leading Moran (1996) to consider it “undoubtedly extinct.” Also in June 2001 Nicotiana attenuata, a native species last seen in 1898 and considered extinct on the island, was found under the cypress trees at the high north end of the island and protected with a fenced exclosure. The striking “white sage,” Senecio palmeri, is a Guadalupe endemic that once covered large areas of the island but has not been seen on the island since 1974, and even then was known from only a few individuals in inaccessible cliff areas. (Keitt et al. 2005)

Our surveys on Yadua Taba revealed population densities of 196 iguanas per hectare in forest habitat. On the smaller island of Monukiri, where crested iguana sightings were frequent in the early 1980s, the popualtion density estimate was nine iguanas per hectare for the largest stand of forest. The total population estimate for Yadua Taba is > 6000 iguanas, while for Monuriki it is < 100. Vegetation surveys of these islands suggest that the abundance of the herbivorous crested iguana reflects the relative abundance of food trees present, with 63% of forest trees on Yadua Taba being edible species, compared to only 2% on Monuriki. Although both islands are uninhabitated and have no introduced predators, Monuriki has been subjected to over three decades of intensive goat grazing and regular dry season burning. The combination of goats and fire may have reduced the survivorship and recruitment of iguana food tree species, several of which are known to be sensitive. Selective browsing by goats on the seedlings of palatable tree species on Monuriki has resulted in the competitive release of unpalatable species, inedible to both goats and crested iguana (Harlow et al. 2001)

Positive results of the goat eradication include the recovery of endemic plant populations. Plantago trinitatis was considered extinct until 1998, and began a slow recovery from the seed bank in the soil when the goat population began to decline. Peperomia beckeri, another endemic species known only from the type collection, was rediscovered in December 2009 and is now present as a few individuals. [...] [Table 2]

Positive results of the goat eradication include the recovery of endemic plant populations. Plantago trinitatis was considered extinct until 1998, and began a slow recovery from the seed bank in the soil when the goat population began to decline. Peperomia beckeri, another endemic species known only from the type collection, was rediscovered in December 2009 and is now present as a few individuals. [...] [Table 2]