Over the last century, humans have introduced a variety of animals to the California Island Archipelago, from goats and pigs to American bison. Many of those animals have done significant harm to ecosystems across the islands.
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Photo: Jack Baldelli
Photo: Denise Knapp
Island oak populations are dwindling, largely due to introduced animals causing increased soil erosion and compaction (shown in the picture to the left), which is making it harder for the oak populations to regenerate.
Island ecologists, conservation groups, and volunteers have removed many of the introduced animals from the California Island Archipelago, significantly reducing that source of stress on the oaks.
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Photo: Denise Knapp
Island oaks like to live where soil stays damp for a good portion of the year, and air temperatures stay relatively low. Recent drought trends, less fog, and warming temperatures are shifting ideal island oak habitat.
As island oak populations rebound from the past impact of animals, ecologists wonder how climate change may impact their recovery
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