World Island Flora: Conservation Initiatives and Intervention Gaps

Abstract

This paper reviews the status of flora biodiversity in island ecosystems and conservation efforts done to mitigate various ecological disturbances- invasive species, deforestation, climate change etc. Island ecosystems is among the most vulnerable type of ecosystems as influenced by their size, isolation, and topography. Potential threats for destruction and extinction of floral species have increased over the past decade resulting to greater interest in studies as to resolve ecological issues that are observed and recorded. Discussion on the effectivity and challenges experienced by conservation efforts on islands outlines specific and general concerns that are needed to be addressed. There have been relevant advances in determining the relationships between island characteristics and biodiversity. A comprehensive discussion on the interconnectivity of these characteristic influences, threats to the biodiversity, and conservation initiatives is included in this review. Intervention gaps in the conservation efforts in the different islands identified is also discussed.