If introductions of (invasive) non-native species were rare, I'd be out of
a job (though I would gladly be unemployed if I could trade...). In
Hawaii alone, there are approximately 10,000 species of (flowering?)
plants; of these, approximately 90% are INTRODUCED. Of those 90%,
approximately 10% are VERY SERIOUS PROBLEMS. Not to mention all the
"not-so-serious" problems (a hard distinction). Of the native species
(most if not all of which are endangered directly or indirectly by
non-native species), over 90% are ENDEMIC to Hawaii (they grow NOWHERE
ELSE in the WORLD!).
BTW, Hawaii's only NATIVE CP is Drosera anglica (on the island of Kauai,
probably brought in as a seed on the foot of a migrating golden plover).
One of Hawaii's ALIENS has been identified as Utricularia gibba L. (Big
Island [Hawaii]). So far as I know, this one isn't particularly a
"problem species" (but that judgement is subject to change!).
To get a glimpse of Hawaii's problem, check out
http://www2.hawaii.edu/~halesci/AlienSpeciesInHawaii. (We're just
starting on this site; it only scratches the surface.
Input/suggestions/links to&from are greatly appreciated!)
Aloha
-pt
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philip A. Thomas - thomasp@maui.com OR halesci@hawaii.edu
P.O. Box 1272 - Puunene, Maui, Hawaii 96784 USA
voice: (808) 572-9306 ext. 3233 fax: (808) 572-1304
http://www.maui.com/~thomasp/PhilipAnthonyThomas
## Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily represent ##
## the views of USGS/BRD, RCUH, CPSU, UH, or anyone besides just me! ##