These affect our unique biodiversity, as well as the clean water and oxygen we breath — not to mention our cultural values. When it comes to biodiversity, Australia is globally quite distinct. A loss to Australia is therefore a loss to the world. Some of these are ancient species like the Wollemi Pine, may have inhabited Australia for up to million years, well before the dinosaurs.
Read more: Wollemi pines are dinosaur trees. But invasive species are found in almost every part of Australia, from our rainforests, to our deserts, our farms, to our cities, our national parks and our rivers. Rabbits, goats and camels prevent native desert plant community regeneration; rabbits alone impacting over threatened species.
Globally, invasive species have a disproportionately higher effect on offshore islands — and in Australia we have more than 8, of these. One of the most notable cases is the case of the yellow crazy ants , which killed 15,, red land crabs on Christmas Island.
Cane Toad. Dromedary Camel. European Honey Bee. European Rabbit. Feral Cat. Feral Deer. Feral Goats. Feral Pig. Red Fox. Water Buffalo. Give us feedback. Read Next View. Scape Living at Aurora. Surfers Hawaiian Holiday Apartments. Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne Southbank. The top 10 invasive species in Australia, based on how many threatened species they impact.
The research which has been published in the scientific journal Pacific Conservation Biology also identified the top ten invasive species based on how many threatened species they impact. Lead researcher Stephen Kearney from the University of Queensland said many people may be surprised at which species top the list. Feral pigs on the Mary River floodplain in the Northern Territory. In third place, feral pigs impact threatened species in Australia.
Weeds have spread, and seedlings previously eaten by crabs have now grown and are changing the forest structure. Other invasive species alter the ecosystem by killing large numbers of native wildlife. Feral cats are voracious hunters and are a causal factor in the extinction of most of the 30 Australian native mammal species lost since European settlement.
While the exact number of feral cats in Australia is not known, conservative estimates put the figure at around 2—6 million. Even taking the lower figure, if two million feral cats are killing several native and non-native animals every night, that number is enormous.
When you add other carnivorous invasive species such as foxes, wild dogs, rats and ants, the number climbs even higher. Invasive species without claws or sharp teeth can do just as much damage. The Chytrid fungus , introduced to Australia in the s, is directly implicated in the extinctions of four species of native frog, and the decline of at least ten others. This figure takes into account economic losses and the cost of management of invasive species. These constraints include multiple providers of funding—local, state and federal government, private organisations and volunteers, lack of accurate reporting and the difficulty in quantifying losses due to invasive species i.
Once a species becomes invasive, it often becomes a case of trying to minimise damage through control and management of the population.
Total eradication is almost never possible, however, eradication programs for some islands and fenced reserves have had successful results. Any of the above methods must be undertaken in humane ways and be target-specific. After all, none of the invasive species asked to be brought here, and the damage they do is merely a consequence of their natural behaviour. Model codes of practice CoPs and standard operating procedures SOPs exist to minimise suffering and ensure that animals are treated humanely.
Although the introduction of the cane toad was an epic failure, biological management of invasive species remains a viable option of control.
Thankfully the lessons learned from that disaster have resulted in more stringent tests before any new species is released. Biological control can include using natural predators, disease-carrying bacteria or viruses to manage invasive species.
Success stories include the release of the cactoblastis moth, which has successfully reduced numbers of prickly pear, and the calicivirus disease, used to control rabbit populations. Foreign seeds, plants or animals knowingly brought back in your luggage, or unknowingly in your cuffs, pockets, or on your shoes such as disease spores or fungi can easily take hold in a new environment, as they have done in Antarctica. If you're not sure whether you need to declare something for a biosecurity check, then DO!
In many cases the product you're carrying will be fine to enter the country, and if it's not you've done the right thing. Currently Australia is a leader in biosecurity, with tough biosecurity measures in place. Despite this there are still flaws and weaknesses in the system, as demonstrated by the growing number of invasive species in the country.
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