Native forests are recovering, and seabird populations are soaring on Bikar Atoll and Jemo Islet in the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) thanks to a successful campaign to remove damaging, invasive rats in 2024, said Island Conservation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring island ecosystems. This is a significant step toward realizing the vision of resilient thriving native ecosystems, oceans and communities, the organization said.
A recent trip to the islands by conservationists from Island Conservation, the Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority, Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce, and community members from Utrik Atoll confirmed the 2024 restoration campaign to remove invasive rats was successful. The team found native seabird populations rebounding, restoring the vital nutrient connections between land and sea. Nutrients from seabird guano boost soil fertility, which is beneficial for native plant populations and enrich the surrounding reefs resulting in more fish and, ultimately, greater climate resilience for communities.
