Indigena Biosecurity International has been an entrusted service provider for several government projects and charity initiatives
South Georgia
Indigena were appointed to deliver on the Government of South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands' (GSGSSI) Non-Native Plant Management Strategy: 2016-2020. This ambitious strategy was developed as part of a Darwin-funded project, which aimed to ensure that 33 out of the island's 41 non-native plant species are eradicated or managed to zero population density by 2020. Indigena continues to provide their expertise on work detailed in the GSGSSI's Non-Native Plant Management Strategy: 2022, under the premise of the 'South Georgia Non-Native Plant Management Project' - a 5-year contract, renewed on a year-to-year basis. To learn more about South Georgia and the conservation efforts taking place there, including the work of Indigena, check out: 'South Georgia - A Visitor's Guide' narrated by Sir David Attenborough. The film has two key messages; firstly, it encourages visitors to respect and protect the island so their visit can be truly sustainable, but there is another message which is relevant to us all; proof that nature can recover, if we give it the chance. www.gov.gs/south-georgia-a-visitors-guide/ |
Falkland Islands
The Falklands Islands Government has enlisted the specialist services of Indigena for a species-specific project: the control of calafate (Berberis microphylla). Calafate is a shrub native to Argentina and Chile, which has become invasive across the Falklands Islands since its introduction some 100 years ago. Monitoring and implementation of calafate control began in the 2019-2020 season. The second season was 2022-2023, and Indigena will return to the Falkland Islands in November 2023 for a third season.
The Falklands Islands Government has enlisted the specialist services of Indigena for a species-specific project: the control of calafate (Berberis microphylla). Calafate is a shrub native to Argentina and Chile, which has become invasive across the Falklands Islands since its introduction some 100 years ago. Monitoring and implementation of calafate control began in the 2019-2020 season. The second season was 2022-2023, and Indigena will return to the Falkland Islands in November 2023 for a third season.
Fauna and flora monitoring, inventories and surveys
We carry out ecological surveys for;
Physical and chemical plant pest control
We carry out ecological surveys for;
- indigenous and exotic plant inventories
- vegetation mapping
- fauna surveys
- investigations into the cultural and social values of the site (including Cultural Health Index Assessments)
- an assessment of the ecological significance and biodiversity values of the area
- potential ecological effects
- assessing impacts of invasive species
- assessing carbon stocks and rates of sequestration
Physical and chemical plant pest control
- Natural ecosystems are susceptible to the invasion of many species of pest plants, especially when they are regenerating or contain sites of physical disturbance. Our comprehensive knowledge of these ecosystems and how they function enables us to identify invasive pest plant species that threaten this function, and control them with the least amount of disturbance to the native ecosystem. We have extensive knowledge of pest plant identification, and choose the most appropriate method of control from a wide range of options. The methods used depend on the species to be controlled, non-target species in the area to be protected, the site location and resources available.
- We keep abreast with the latest technological advances and developments, as well as developing our methodologies for situations that are new or different. We understand that pest plant control can never be a one-off event, and always plan for follow-up control for several years, to ensure that the seed-bank is exhausted and other sources of re-invasion are managed.
- Depending on your goals and resources, our level of involvement can be altered to suit you. For example, we can run the whole project from start to finish, or allocate specific tasks that are suitable for community group volunteers. We can run educational sessions to train volunteers on aspects of pest plant control.
- Methods of pest plant control range from hand-pulling, cutting and stump-treating, to foliar spraying and drilling and injecting herbicide. All our staff are Growsafe and Approved Handler certified.
Native revegetation
We carry out successful restoration plantings of many kinds;
Management and control of animal pests
Pest animal control is a vital part of conservation on island ecosystems. Your project may be a small reserve or an entire catchment area that you would like to improve the health of. We can organise your trapping programme from the initial cutting of the trap lines, building and laying out the traps or tracking tunnels, checking and maintaining trap lines, recording and reporting on trap catches.
Depending on your goals and resources, our level of involvement can be altered to suit you. For example, we can run the whole project from start to finish, or set up lines that community group volunteers can check and maintain. We can run educational sessions to train volunteers on aspects of pest animal control.
We carry out successful restoration plantings of many kinds;
- riparian management and protection plantings
- weed replacement/suppression plantings
- forest diversity and enhancement plantings
- restoration and stabilisation plantings of bare land and coastal areas
- minimal intervention and natural succession regeneration regimes (e.g. on ex-plantation forestry sites)
- budgeting and required resources
- recommendations for irrigation and protection
- species selection
- plant sourcing
- site selection and placement of trees
- planting and protection (e.g. tree guards, weed mats)
- release from grasses and weeds
- ongoing maintenance
Management and control of animal pests
Pest animal control is a vital part of conservation on island ecosystems. Your project may be a small reserve or an entire catchment area that you would like to improve the health of. We can organise your trapping programme from the initial cutting of the trap lines, building and laying out the traps or tracking tunnels, checking and maintaining trap lines, recording and reporting on trap catches.
Depending on your goals and resources, our level of involvement can be altered to suit you. For example, we can run the whole project from start to finish, or set up lines that community group volunteers can check and maintain. We can run educational sessions to train volunteers on aspects of pest animal control.