Bermuda's Enviroment

Figure 1:Bermuda Cicada (K. A. Forbes)

    Bermuda’s ecosystem has been greatly impacted by the arrival of humans on the islands. Many of the endemic species and native species have faced extinction. Being such a small and isolated group of islands maintaining natural resources and handling pollutions has been a challenge as it’s population has grown. The challenges include invasive species, a shortage fresh water, a shortage of space for trash and sewage management, overfishing, and providing food, water, transportation and electricity to the people without ruining the ecosystem (Heidi). 

Figure 2: Hog coin of Bermuda (K. A. Forbes)

     The Spanish and Portuguese initially used the island as a restocking spot on their ways to and from the west. The native terrestrial species were limited to reptiles, crustaceans, insects, turtles, and snails. Several birds were also on the islands (Government of Bermuda). Since these creatures were not part of the Spanish and Portuguese diets, they imported various food stock species to leave there. These introduced species included hogs which became iconic of Bermuda even being printed on their first coins (Jardine). Once settled by the English more species were introduced as food, pets and plants were imported by colonist. Other species were introduced accidentally from stow away rodents, insects and microorganisms (Government of Bermuda). Some of these non-native species have become invasive. Since they have no natural predators and can out compete native species for resources, they have over stressed the ecosystem with an unchecked population. Others have caused diseases or hunted native and endemic species to the point of endangerment and extinction (Government of Bermuda).

 

Figure 3: Mature Bermuda cedar photograph by Raffi Koijan

     The cherished Bermuda Cedar (Juniperus bermudiana) is an endemic species of Bermuda that nearly went extinct. They’re an intricate part of Bermuda culture. Bermuda cedar seedling are the traditional wedding cake topper to be planted by the couple at their home (Government of Bermuda). These large, fragrant, salt resistant trees once covered the island and were a wonderful resource for settlers. Their soft rot resistant wood was used for ship building storage containers, furniture and other industrial uses. The trees were over harvested and whole forest of them carelessly burnt to fight the growing invasive rat population (Jones). Laws passed in the 1700’s protected the Cedars by forbidding cedar exports (The Bermudian). The cedars returned as the most dominant tree of the island. Unfortunately, in 1946 juniper scale insects (Carulaspis minima and Lepidosaphesnewsteadi) were introduced and killed 95% of the Bermuda Cedars (Government of Bermuda). This led to an ecological decline as many native species relied on these trees for food and shelter. The endemic Bermuda cicada which ate these cedars went extinct. The people responded by introducing foreign trees which now are considered invasive compete with the surviving Bermuda Cedars (Government of Bermuda). The resilient species survived the blight thanks to some of the trees having resistance. These are now planted and protected by the people of Bermuda. 

Bibliography:

Forbes, Keith A. "Bermuda's domestic and non-exportable dollar is at par with USA." 2020. Bermuda online. 13.

Forbes, Keith A. "Bermuda's Fauna." 2020. Bermuda online. http://www.bermuda-online.org/fauna.htm. 13 Feburary 2021.

Government of Bermuda. "Bermuda Cedar." n.d. Deparment of Enviroment and Natural Resouces. https://environment.bm/bermuda-cedar. 13 Feburary 2021.

Government of Bermuda. "Species." n.d. The department of Enviromen and Natural Resources. https://environment.bm/species. 13 Feburary 2021.

Heidi. "Environmental Problems of Bermuda." 1997. Heidi's Bermuda Adventure. https://www.coexploration.org/projects/heidi/home.htm. 10 Feburary 2021.

Jardine, Helen. "History of the hogs." 19 November 2008. Bermuda Sun. http://www.bermudasun.bm/Content/NEWS/News/Article/History-of-the-hogs/24/270/39594. 13 Feurary 2021.

Jones, Rosemary. "The Bermuda Cedar." n.d. Hachette Book Group. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/travel/outdoors/the-bermuda-cedar/. 13 Feburary 2021.