Damon Mcknight
Australia is known for its diverse range of native animals, including kangaroos, dingoes, wallabies, wombats, koalas, platypuses, and echidnas. However, the country has also faced challenges with invasive species, which have been introduced either intentionally or unintentionally. Since 1770, more than 3,000 non-native species have been introduced to Australia, including animals, birds, insects, and plants. These introductions have had varying impacts on the native ecosystem, with some species causing significant damage and contributing to the extinction of native species. The current wave of invasive species introductions began in 1788 with the arrival of European settlers, who brought livestock, plants, and seeds. Some of the notable invasive species in Australia include feral cats, red foxes, cane toads, European rabbits, and common carp. These species have had detrimental effects on native wildlife and the environment, leading to ongoing efforts to manage and prevent the introduction of new invasive species.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of non-native species introduced to Australia since 1770 | More than 3,000 |
| Number of invasive vertebrate animal species | 56 |
| Number of feral cats killing native Australian species each year | 20 billion |
| Percentage of Australia where European red foxes are found | 75% |
| Number of European red foxes in Australia | 7.5 million |
| Year dingoes arrived in Australia | Between 3,400 and 4,600 years ago |
| Year European settlement began in Australia | 1788 |
| Year European honey bees were introduced to Australia | 1822 |
| Year red imported fire ants arrived in Australia | 2001 |
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What You'll Learn
European settlers introduced domestic animals
Australia has been geographically isolated for millions of years, allowing its native plants and animals to evolve and adapt to its unique environment. However, this delicate balance was disrupted when European settlers arrived in 1788, bringing with them numerous domestic animals that would have a profound impact on the country's ecosystem.
One of the most prominent animals introduced by European settlers was the domestic cat. Cats were adept at adapting to Australia's arid conditions, and their hunting skills allowed them to thrive in the wild. Feral cats, as they became known, have had a devastating impact on native Australian species, with estimates suggesting they kill up to 20 billion native animals annually.
Another introduced species with detrimental effects is the European red fox, released in Victoria during the 1850s. Foxes are now found across over 75% of Australia and are responsible for the deaths of countless native animals. Similarly, the European honey bee, brought to Australia in 1822, has become impossible to eradicate and poses a threat to native animals by competing for nesting hollows.
In addition to cats, foxes, and bees, European settlers introduced various other domestic animals, including dogs, pigs, and goats, which subsequently escaped or were released into the wild. These species have contributed to land degradation, overgrazing, and the spread of diseases, further endangering Australia's native flora and fauna.
The introduction of these domestic animals by European settlers has had far-reaching consequences for Australia's environment and native species. While some argue that certain introduced species may provide ecological benefits, the majority of these introductions have disrupted the delicate balance of Australia's unique ecosystem, leading to extinctions and ongoing challenges for conservation efforts.
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Feral animals threaten native species
Australia is home to 56 introduced invasive vertebrate animal species. These species are defined as animals imported for domestic purposes that have gone wild. Feral animals are recognised as threats to native animals and plants under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Feral cats, for instance, kill an estimated 75 million native animals across Australia every night, including 20 billion Australian native species each year. Cats have caused more environmental damage in Australia than on any other continent. The red fox and cat have contributed to the extinction of 19 of the 21 completely extinct marsupials and rodents in Australia. Foxes and cats are also blamed for the loss of another nine species that survive on islands.
Rabbits have been ranked with foxes and cats as among Australia's worst pests, with feral rabbits causing land degradation. Wild pigs have become major agricultural and environmental problems, cattle in the Kimberley region damage scarce rainforest tracts, and deer are probably Australia's worst emerging pest problem, causing damage to the natural environment and agricultural businesses. Feral horses are also trashing and trampling sensitive alpine ecosystems and streams, causing the decline and extinction of native animals.
Invasive species are already the overwhelming driver of Australia's animal extinction rate, and are expected to cause 75 of the next 100 extinctions. Feral animals can also carry the same common diseases as domestic animals, such as tuberculosis, and are a constant source of reinfection for wildlife and livestock. They are also potential carriers of other animal diseases, such as rabies and foot and mouth disease, and parasites, such as the screw worm fly.
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Invasive species impact native flora and fauna
Australia has a unique ecology, shaped by its long isolation from other landmasses. This isolation has resulted in a distinct flora and fauna, with many keystone species. However, the arrival of humans, and later European settlers, introduced many invasive species, which have had a detrimental impact on native plants and animals.
The current period of invasive species introduction began in 1788 with the arrival of the first European settlers. Australia now has 56 introduced invasive vertebrate animal species. These include feral cats, which kill an estimated 20 billion native animals each year, including 50 threatened species. Feral cats are descended from domestic cats that escaped from human settlements. Other invasive species include the European red fox, which was imported in the 1850s and is now found across over 75% of Australia, killing native species at an alarming rate. The European honey bee, introduced in 1822, takes over nesting hollows from native animals, and is now impossible to eradicate. The Indian myna, introduced to control locusts, is now a serious threat, spreading mites and disease, and has been listed as one of the world's 100 worst invasive species.
Invasive species have also impacted native flora. For example, the Oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi, commonly known as wildflower dieback or jarrah blight, has had a massive impact on some types of native vegetation, especially jarrah forest and banksia woodland. Invasive fungi and bacteria affect many native plants, and agricultural crops. Citrus canker was found in the Northern Territory in the 1900s and again in 2004, leading to the burning of many Queensland citrus orchards to control the disease. Amphibian chytridiomycosis, caused by a fungal pathogen, has led to the decline of 36 out of Australia's 238 amphibian species, with 7 becoming extinct.
Invasive species are a serious threat to endemic Australian species, and the prevention of new invasive species is a key environmental and agricultural policy issue for the Australian government. The management of weeds and invasive species costs billions of dollars annually. However, there is debate about the potential benefits of introduced species, with some arguing that certain species may provide ecological benefits, acting as replacements for extinct megafauna.
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Native animals face extinction
Australia's unique landscape is populated by plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. However, this legacy is under threat from invasive species, which have been introduced to the country since the arrival of European settlers in 1788.
The current period of invasive species introduction is not the first in Australia's history. Dingoes likely arrived between 5,400 and 4,600 years ago and contributed to the extinction of native species such as the thylacine and Tasmanian devil. However, the rate of species extinction since European colonisation is unprecedented. As of March 2021, 100 of Australia's endemic species have been declared extinct or extinct in the wild. This makes Australia the country with the highest mammal extinction rate in the world.
Introduced species are a serious threat to endemic Australian species and an ongoing cost to Australian agriculture. Feral cats, for example, kill millions of native animals every year. The European red fox, which was imported and released in Victoria in the 1850s, can now be found in over 75% of Australia and is killing native species at an alarming rate. Other invasive species include the European honey bee, which takes over nesting hollows for native animals, and the Indian myna bird, which has been listed as one of the world's 100 worst invasive species.
Invasive species are also a problem for Australia's native vegetation. The Oomycete Phytophthora cinnamomi, commonly known as wildflower dieback or jarrah blight, has had a massive impact on some types of native vegetation, especially jarrah forest and banksia woodland. Australian native vegetation also suffers significant damage when trampled by hoofed animals such as horses.
The Australian government and non-governmental organisations are working to protect native species and control invasive species. For example, Bush Heritage Australia is working to protect over 9,000 native species, including hundreds of threatened species. However, if invasive species are not managed and controlled, the extinction of native Australian species is likely to continue.
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Introduced species have positive and negative effects
Australia is home to thousands of unique plants and animals. Its isolated location allowed these species to adapt to their environments over tens of thousands of years. However, in the past 250 years, foreign species have been introduced, threatening the established ecosystems.
Introduced species can arrive in Australia deliberately or accidentally. Since 1770, more than 2800 weeds, 25 mammals, 20 birds, 4 reptiles, 1 frog, 34 fish, between 100 and 400 marine species, and numerous invertebrates have been introduced to Australia, with varying consequences. While the majority of introduced species do not become a problem, those that do can cause dramatic and sometimes catastrophic changes to native wildlife.
Some introduced species have had positive effects. For example, the introduction of dung beetles has helped control fly populations in areas with high cattle numbers, and non-native earthworms have improved soil quality in many urban areas. Some researchers argue that certain species, such as deer, equids, bovids, and camels, may be more beneficial to Australia's ecosystems than detrimental, acting as replacements for extinct Australian megafauna. Additionally, some iconic native creatures, such as the Dingo, were themselves introduced to Australia thousands of years ago.
However, the negative consequences of invasive species can be severe. They include the loss or alteration of native habitats, the killing and displacement of native species, the extinction of native species, impacts on human health, and escalating economic costs. Feral cats, for instance, are believed to have contributed to the extinction of 30 Australian native mammal species and several bird species. Invasive plants can suppress native plant communities, alter freshwater microclimates and water chemistry, and trap sediment at higher rates. Invasive fungi and bacteria affect many native plants, animals, and agricultural crops. The combined cost of managing invasive species and economic losses is estimated to be over $13.6 billion per year.
The Australian government and non-governmental organisations are working to control and prevent the introduction of new invasive species, which is a key environmental and agricultural policy issue.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has many native species, but it is unclear how many are domesticable. Dingoes, kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, koalas, platypuses, and echidnas are some of the well-known native Australian animals.
The Tasmanian devil is a native Australian animal that is not domesticable. It once inhabited the Australian mainland but is now only found in Tasmania.
The European honey bee was introduced to Australia in 1822 and is now impossible to eradicate. While it provides honey, it also takes over potential nesting hollows for native animals.
Introduced species in Australia, also known as invasive, feral, or non-native animals, can have detrimental effects on the native ecosystem. For example, feral cats are estimated to kill millions of native animals annually.
While most introduced species have negative impacts, some may provide ecological benefits. For example, foreign dung beetles were introduced to combat the increase in cowpats due to the introduction of domestic cattle, and this resulted in an 80% drop in fly numbers.
