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Biodiversity Activities, continuedInvasive SpeciesEnvironment Australia runs a number of programs for the Government in controlling feral animals, introduced marine pests, diseases, insects and weeds. These are known as "invasive species" because they are not native to Australia and are a threat to our country's native plants, animals, soil and waterways. Weeds - The Bush Invaders!
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Bridal Creeper is a bush invader.
Copyright: Murray Fagg |
Weeds not only are a problem for our gardens and pastures - they also invade our bushland. About 11% of our 18,000 species of wild plants were introduced from other countries. Sadly, many of our bush invaders started as common garden plants.
For example Lantana, Bridal Creeper and Scotch Broom - all very serious
bushland weeds - are popular garden plants which are still being planted
in gardens today!
The Government encourages local Bushcare, Landcare or Friends groups to adopt a local patch and remove weeds. We think you can help too by making sure there are no bush invaders planted in your garden at home.
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| Crazy Ants on Christmas Island. Credit: Denis O'Dowd |
Feral animals like feral cats and foxes hunt and kill numerous native
birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. They also compete with native animals
for space, food and shelter.
Australia's enormous rabbit population started from just over 20 rabbits released into the wild in Victoria. Rabbits erode the soil by digging burrows and eat lots of native plants that are usually food or shelter for native animals.
Foxes are another example of a feral animal. Foxes are clever predators, surviving in many different kinds of habitat from the Snowy Mountains to the central deserts and even suburbia. Their fierce attacks on native animals have helped bring several small, native mammals close to extinction.
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| The fox is a serious feral threat. Credit: Paul Meek |
Rabbits can multiply fast! Credit: CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems |
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