Hawaii, like many other islands that are far away from other land areas, faces challenges caused by non-native plants and animals that harm the variety of living things naturally found on the islands.
Darwin’s finches, also called the Galápagos finches, are a group of about 18 species of songbirds. They are famous for showing how species can change over time to fit different environments, and for having many different types of beaks that help them eat different foods. Scientists often group them as the subfamily Geospizinae or tribe Geospizini.
The Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger), also called the Galápagos giant tortoise, is a very large tortoise in the genus Chelonoidis, which also includes three smaller species from mainland South America. This species includes 15 subspecies (12 that still exist and 3 that no longer exist). It is the largest living tortoise, and some can weigh up to 417 kg (919 lb).
Dutch elm disease is caused by a type of fungus that kills elm trees. The disease is spread by elm bark beetles. Originally from Asia, the disease was accidentally brought to America, Europe, and New Zealand.
The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis), also called EAB, is a green type of beetle from northeastern Asia. It feeds on ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). Female beetles lay eggs in cracks in the bark of ash trees.
Asian carp are a group of fish that were brought to North America from East Asia. These fish are not native to the United States or Canada and are considered invasive. They cause serious problems for the environment, ecosystems, economies, and people living in the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes regions of the United States and Canada.
An invasive species is a type of organism that is brought to a new place and causes harm to that environment. These species can damage habitats and areas, leading to problems for nature, the environment, and the economy. Since the 20th century, invasive species have become major issues for the economy, people, and the environment around the world.
Natural landscaping, also called native gardening, is a way to design a garden. It uses plants that are naturally found in the area where the garden is located. These plants include trees, shrubs, groundcover, and grasses.
A pollinator garden is a garden created to grow plants that make nectar and pollen, which attract insects that help plants reproduce. These insects, called pollinators, help produce one out of every three bites of food people eat. To be a pollinator garden, it must have flowers that make nectar, plants that provide shelter for pollinators, and should not use pesticides.
A roof garden is a garden built on the top of a building. In addition to looking nice, plants on rooftops can provide food, help control temperature, improve water management, enhance building design, create homes or paths for animals, offer places for people to relax, and in large areas, may help the environment. Growing food on building rooftops is sometimes called rooftop farming.