invasive-snails

[invasive-snails]

The Agricultural Impact of Giant African Snails

Their slow-moving nature may make them seem harmless but these mollusks (Lissachatina fulica) have left a trail of destruction throughout Trinidad, particularly in the agricultural sector.. The presence of these snails poses a significant threat, with their ability to consume a wide variety of plants, and spread rapidly country-wide... To start, Giant African Snails were first reported in Trinidad as early as 2008, initially reported in Diego Martin, likely arriving through imported goods or plants.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/245928501

These greedy little guys feed on over 500 different plant species. They consume the leaves, stems, fruits, and even FLOWERS. Local farmers are experiencing a significant reduction in yield, which directly translates into financial losses. In Trinidad...where agriculture is a primary source of income, the snails are devastating livelihoods. And as Giant African Snails reach high population densities, the damage is becoming difficult to control & curb. While our local snail species; Giant South American Snail (Megalobulimus oblongus) only produces an average of 2-3 eggs per reproductive cycle; the Giant African Snails are highly prolific, being capable of laying hundreds of eggs multiple times each year. With all the country-wide flooding, their spread has been non-stop and even the most remote places are now infested!

Farmers are increasingly resorting to poisons & molluscicides to keep the population at bay.. but chemicals come with a cost; a double-edged sword, besides the financial burden, it can disturb the local ecosystem, affecting non-target species like beneficial insects and native snails. & these chemical controls can also end up in waterways, impacting the aquatic life and overall ecological health.. And not to mention, as the Giant African Snail competes with our native snails & other critters, it reduces biodiversity; & ecological stability is disrupted....This shift forces farmers to rely more on artificial methods of managing their fields, leading to a less sustainable agriculture model. Integrated pest management strategies should be employed to reduce dependence on the harmful chemical controls. Introducing natural predators COULD help, although one would have to think about local species also being affected. Setting up bait stations to attract and remove snails manually could prove to be a sustainable method BUT it is time consuming. All methods of removal seem to have some draw-back or the other, which is probably why getting rid of them has been so hard. A friend of mine suggested we prompt people to start eating them, yuck. But knowing Trinis, that might just work.

[invasive-snails]

who am i ??

Being born & raised in Trinidad has been both a sweet and sour experience. Primarily due to the fact that the gorgeous country i was born in, has not been the same and is getting worse day-by-day. Whether it be environmentally or otherwise... my name is Tanushri Reva Bridgemohan. I was born in July of 2005. I've always been in tune with and deeply interested in the outdoors. My deep-rooted obsession with nature has even influenced my philosophical and spiritual beliefs. I’ve always felt like nature speaks to us if we’re willing to listen—whether it’s the rustling of the trees in the wind or the calming rhythm of the ocean waves. Being outside, surrounded by the elements and all things living, is where I feel the most connected. As a child, I showed the same interest in wildlife as i do now. It has not changed, only grown. I remember being absolutely fascinated by the small invertebrae all around me... their strange, alien-like forms, the way they moved, and how they seemed to exist in their own little worlds, whether in the dirt or under the sea. I’d constantly show off my knowledge about snails, crabs, or any sea creature I could find, convinced that I would be some marine biologist, or entomologist, some day.

This curiosity about the smallest creatures of the Earth set the stage for my lifelong enamorement with nature. There was something magical about these tiny beings and how they fit into their own larger puzzles that constantly excited me. As I grew older, my interests expanded far beyond the little critters I used to chase after. I started to appreciate and love it all...nature, yes, but also the beauty in art, music, fashion, and makeup. It even changed the direction of my life for some time. I never stopped being a naturalist yet i decided i wanted to pursue dermatology, or cosmetology as well... I really think you can do both, do it all. (I still chase after critters.) Meeting people with similar interests excites me to NO end. I absolutely love people who see the world similarly to me. I'm glad to have found a few people like that throughout my lifetime. The first one being my mother, who I probably have to thank for my exposure to nature. Her main interest lies in plants and botany, however. And even she doesn't understand my love and deep interest for bugs and other slimy little things...

Photo of little-me collecting snails and showing them off (I'd still do this.) Everytime i came across a stream of water, I'd find myself investigating what lived there. ( I also, still do this. ) Those snails are probably no longer there.

Growing up in Trinidad, I’ve also watched the things I love most slowly deteriorate before my eyes.. struggling under the weight of human carelessness and neglect. How can i bring myself to go look under every rock, when half of those rocks have been replaced with a bottle, or some other piece of trash. I’ve realized that it’s not enough to appreciate nature from afar; we have to actively protect it.. & those snails that I collected so long ago, are most likely no longer a part of their own environment, overshadowed by the invasive Giant African Snails. With their rapid spread and appetite for anything green, they've disrupted the balance of our local ecosystems. This blog seeks to address and discuss this very species. & some possible solutions for mitigating their environmental devastation