Rats have had a catastrophic impact upon island ecosystems worldwide. Eradicating rats (a tried and tested conservation intervention) from four islands in northeast Peros Banhos, Chagos Archipelago, will produce the longest chain of invasive predator-free islands in the Indian Ocean (13 islands). When rat-free, the four islands’ environmental quality will improve; biodiversity loss will be reversed and will both increase and diversify, with the surrounding marine ecosystems having enhanced resilience to climate change events.
Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew), Orion Conservation Services (OCS), Biodiversity Restoration Specialists Limited, British Indian Ocean Territory Administration
