Plans to save 'Galapagos for plants'
Conservationists want to save the flora and fauna on Robinson Crusoe Island
Native plants and animals on the three islands that make up the Juan Fernandez Archipelago, dubbed the "Galapagos for Plants", could be saved from extinction under new plans.
Top conservationists met in Chile earlier this month to draw up a blueprint, which aims to rescue the unique biosphere that inspired Daniel Defoe's classic tale Robinson Crusoe.
Located in the Pacific Ocean, the islands host an exceptional number of unique plants and animals which are not found anywhere else in the world.
The archipelago, which is found 414 miles off the coast of Chile, is home to at least 131 indigenous plants, as well as three endemic bird species and four subspecies. The firecrown hummingbird, found on Robinson Crusoe Island, is unique to the island.
Conservationists, however, argue that invasive alien species, which were introduced to the chain of islands after it was first discovered by European mariners in 1574, are killing native plants and animals. Non-native examples include cats and rats, as well as plants like the Chilean myrtle-berry shrub which strangles the archipelago's indigenous plants.
Speaking to the Independent, Miguel Schottlander, of the Chilean government's National Commission for the Environment, said that the country's society was now more aware of the importance of conservation.
"We have a programme to try to eradicate what we can eradicate and to control what we can control. The Chilean government and other partners are coming together to face this huge challenge of how to protect this biodiversity hotspot," he added.
According to Mr Schottlander, it is hoped the conservationists' plans will be implemented by next year.
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The Juan Fernandez Archipelago National Park was founded in 1935 to protect the islands' biosphere.
In 1977, the three islands, which include Selkirk Island and Santa Clara, as well as Robinson Crusoe island, became an International Union for the Conservation of Nature Biosphere Reserve.
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