HAWAIʻI
UNGULATES
Broad Ecological Impacts
Soil Disturbance and Erosion
Rooting behavior (especially by pigs) and trampling compact the soil and destroy ground cover, increasing surface runoff and erosion. This leads to sedimentation in streams and coastal reefs, which degrades water quality and harms marine ecosystems like coral reefs and fish nurseries.
Spread of Invasive Species
By disturbing the soil, ungulates create open niches for aggressive invasive plants like strawberry guava to take hold. They also carry seeds in their fur or droppings, accelerating the spread of non-native vegetation.
Loss of Native Biodiversity
Hawaiʻi's native plants evolved in the absence of large grazing mammals. Many have no defenses (like thorns or toxins) against browsing. As ungulates consume native seedlings and strip vegetation, they prevent regeneration and contribute to forest decline, leading to habitat loss for native birds, insects, and other species.
Altered Ecosystem Structure
Over time, these effects shift entire ecosystems—turning diverse native forests into degraded shrublands dominated by invasive species with little to no ecological or cultural value.
Conservation Impacts
Habitat Degradation in Conservation Areas
Even in fenced reserves and protected forests, a single breach by pigs, goats, or deer can cause widespread damage.
Threats to Endangered Species
Plants like ʻŌhiÊ»a lehua and Lobelia species are particularly vulnerable. Their destruction can lead to the collapse of food webs and loss of habitat for endangered forest birds like the ‘I‘iwi or ‘Ä€kepa.
Costly Management
Conservation programs must invest in expensive fencing, monitoring, and removal operations. These efforts divert resources from other restoration work and are only temporary solutions without sustained management.
Costly management
Conservation programs must invest in expensive fencing, monitoring, and removal operations. These efforts divert resources from other restoration work and are only temporary solutions without sustained management.
Agricultural Impacts
Crop Loss and Damage
Ungulates eat or destroy crops, root through fields, and damage young plants, leading to reduced yields and lost income.
Infrastructure Damage
They can damage fencing, irrigation systems, and farm access roads, increasing maintenance costs and reducing productivity.
Disease Transmission
Some ungulates can carry zoonotic diseases (like leptospirosis), creating a public health risk and affecting livestock health.
Impacts on Local Farms
Communities are vulnerable because they often operate on small margins, have fewer resources, and rely on harvests for food or income.
