Invasion and Control of the Introduced Red Quinine Tree (Cinchona pubescens) in Galápagos: Long-term Impacts on the Native Flora

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Ingo Kowarik
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems
• Term: from 2005 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 19719015

Oceanic island ecosystems are said to be much more prone to invasions by alien species but studies to support this view are scarce. The introduced red quinine tree (Cinchona pubescens) has spread widely in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and is clearly one of the most invasive species in Galápagos. Endemic plant species threatened by the quinine invasion include the shrub Miconia robinsoniana in the Miconia zone, the daisy tree Scalesia pedunculata in the Scalesia zone, and the tree fern Cyathea weatherbyana in the Fern-Sedge zone, all endangered according to IUCN red-list criteria.By using quinine as a model species, this project will make an important contribution to the resolution of the following key questions in invasion ecology and response of nontarget species to control efforts:What are the `niche opportunities¿ leading to the successful invasion of quinine?What are the long-term impacts of quinine on the surrounding native vegetation and on ecosystem parameters?What are the impacts of quinine management (manual and chemical control) on native plant communities?The methodological approach is based on analyses of permanent plots and transects (populationand site-orientated parameters) that have already been established in 1998. This provides an excellent opportunity to study invasion processes and related impacts beyond the usual timeframe of short-term studies.The final results from this study willenhance the understanding of mechanisms in invasion processesprovide deeper insights into rarely studied impacts of control on non-target speciesbe incorporated into recommendations for quinine management in Galápagos and on other oceanic archipelagos.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants