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The role of feral goats in Maui fires

Published Article

Hawaii

Publication date: September 21, 2023

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This study explores the role of feral goats in Maui’s wildfire dynamics, showing how invasive grasses, historical land‑use change, and declining ranchlands have increased fire risk across Hawai‘i. It highlights the need for ecosystem restoration, targeted grazing, and greater investment in land stewardship to reduce future wildfire impacts.

Subject Tags

  • Fire management
  • Invasive Species

Abstract

Wildfires on Maui have been widely attributed to invasive grasses and historical land‑use change, but this letter argues that feral goats also play a meaningful role in shaping fire risk. The authors highlight how goat browsing alters vegetation structure, promotes the spread of fire‑prone grasses, and complicates ecosystem restoration efforts across Hawai‘i. They emphasize that unmanaged ungulate populations can increase fuel loads and hinder native plant recovery, suggesting that goat management should be integrated into broader wildfire mitigation and land‑stewardship strategies in the islands.

Citation

Rubinoff, D., & Gon III, S. M. O. Ō. A. (2023). The role of feral goats in Maui fires. Science, 381(6664), 1294-1294.

TNC Authors