Invasive rat eradication effects on seedling counts on Palmyra Atoll, 2004-2016

In order to investigate the impacts of rat eradication on plant communities on the Palmyra Atoll, Line Islands, Central Pacific Ocean ecosystem, a study was conducted surveying the native and non-native tree and palm seedling abundance before and after an eradication event which took place in June 2011. The common plant species examined were P. grandis and C. nucifera, while the less-common species were B. asiatica, C. subcordata, H. sonora, G. speciosa, N. oppositifolium, and C. inophyllum. Data for common plant species were collected in 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2016, and for less-common species in 2004, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2016. Data were collected via survey methods; 55 transect sites were examined for the common species, and between 49 to 55 sites were examined depending on the year, for the less-common species.