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Australia is known for its unique biodiversity, which includes well-known native animals such as kangaroos, koalas, and wombats. However, the country is also home to many species that have been introduced from elsewhere, becoming invasive and threatening native wildlife. Introduced species, habitat destruction, and direct exploitation of native fauna have led to numerous extinctions. This raises the question: which of the following animals is not native to Australia, and what impact does their presence have on the country's ecosystem?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of introduced invasive vertebrate animal species | 56 |
| Examples of invasive species | Common myna, common starling, spotted dove, rock pigeon, Indian myna, honey bee, European wasp, yellow crazy ant, cane toad, red fox, feral cat, feral dog, feral pig, deer, dromedary camel, water buffalo, rabbits, camels, horses, donkeys |
| Examples of native species | Koala, kangaroo, dingo, wallaby, wombat, platypus, echidna, Tasmanian devil, mistletoebird |
| Organisations to fight invasive species | Invasive Species Council (ISC), Cooperative Research Centres, Volunteer groups such as SPRATS |
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What You'll Learn
Feral cats and foxes
The predation by these feral species has a significant environmental, agricultural, and health impact. They cause the loss of digging animals, such as bilbies, which provide ecological services like burying seeds, improving water infiltration, and reducing fire risks. Foxes are responsible for an average of 7% and up to 30% of lamb deaths, costing the agricultural sector an estimated $198 million a year. Feral cats carry and spread parasites that cause infectious diseases like toxoplasmosis and sarcosporidiosis, impacting native animals, livestock, and humans. Studies estimate annual losses of between $7.67 million and $18.3 million to the grazing industry due to cat-dependent parasites, with the sheep industry being the most affected.
Efforts are being made to control and eradicate feral cats and foxes from Australian territories. The Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC) has built the largest network of feral predator-free, fenced havens, providing safe environments for vulnerable species. Additionally, baiting and culling programs are in place to manage these species, and strategies such as ground cover management and destocking are employed. The National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordination program works with farmers, land managers, and communities to drive the adoption of humane and effective control measures. As of December 2022, 33 feral cat- and fox-proof enclosures exist in Australia, protecting over 38 native animal species at extreme risk of predation.
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Invasive fungi and bacteria
Australia has thousands of unique plants and animals, which have evolved over tens of thousands of years. However, since 1770, more than 3,000 non-native species are known to have been introduced, including animals, birds, plants, insects, fungi, parasites, and marine life. Invasive fungi and bacteria are a serious threat to Australia's biodiversity, causing immense environmental, economic, and cultural damage.
The Chytrid fungus, introduced to Australia in the 1970s, has been implicated in the extinction of four species of native frog and the decline of at least ten others. This fungus is widespread in Australia and has caused mass deaths of frogs worldwide. Citrus canker, a bacterial disease, was found twice in the Northern Territory in the 1900s and was eradicated each time. However, in 2004, an outbreak occurred, and many Queensland citrus orchards had to be burned to remove the disease.
In addition to fungi and bacteria, other invasive species such as feral cats, foxes, wild dogs, rats, and ants are also contributing to the decline and extinction of native species in Australia. The Australian government and organizations like the Invasive Species Council are working to protect native species and ecosystems through stronger laws, policies, and programs. However, the challenge of managing and preventing the impact of invasive species in Australia remains a significant and ongoing issue.
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Introduced birds
One of the most well-known introduced birds in Australia is the Common Starling. Brought to the country between 1850 and 1870, these highly social birds are known for their large flocks, called murmurations, which congregate at dusk to find a roosting site. While they have become well-established, they are also considered pests due to their mess and the spread of parasites like bird mites.
Another introduced bird in Australia is the Common Blackbird. This species is often found in urban areas, where it feeds on insects, earthworms, snails, and various plant materials. The Common Blackbird is monogamous, with male-female pairs usually staying together for life.
The House Sparrow, a large finch with a varied diet, has also been introduced to Australia. It has successfully established itself in the eastern regions of the country but is deliberately prevented from spreading to Western Australia.
Other introduced bird species in Australia include the Mute Swan, which has been successfully introduced to several countries, including Australia, and the Common Myna, originally brought to Queensland in the 1800s to control insect pests. Some introduced birds, like the European Song Thrush, remain confined to limited urban areas, such as Melbourne and Geelong.
The introduction of these and other bird species to Australia has had varying ecological impacts, with some becoming pests or competing with native species, while others have been less successful in establishing themselves across the country.
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Native vs exotic species
Australia is known for its unique wildlife, with iconic native species such as kangaroos, koalas, and wombats. However, the country also has a long history of exotic species introductions, dating back to the arrival of the first humans between 80,000 and 45,000 years ago. This influx of non-native species has had significant ecological, economic, and cultural impacts.
Native species are those that have naturally occurred in a specific region or ecosystem, co-evolving with their surroundings over thousands of years. Australia's native species have adapted to the continent's diverse habitats, from the arid Outback to the tropical rainforests of Queensland. These species play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance and supporting the natural functioning of their ecosystems. For example, the Tasmanian Devil, now endemic to the island state of Tasmania, plays a vital role in controlling the population of introduced species that threaten native wildlife.
On the other hand, exotic species are those that have been introduced to an ecosystem by human or natural means and are not indigenous to that region. Australia has experienced a significant influx of exotic species, with thousands of introductions occurring deliberately or accidentally. Many of these introductions have had detrimental effects on native ecosystems. For instance, the arrival of European wasps and Western honey bees has disrupted native animal habitats and is nearly impossible to reverse.
Invasive species, a subset of exotic species, are particularly harmful to Australia's native flora and fauna. These species spread aggressively, outcompeting native species for resources and altering natural ecological processes. Invasive fungi and bacteria, for instance, have impacted native plants and agricultural crops, leading to significant losses. The introduction of diseases like white-nose syndrome, which affects bats, further underscores the threat exotic species pose to Australia's biodiversity.
The distinction between native and exotic species is critical in understanding the delicate balance of Australia's ecosystems. Managing and controlling the introduction and spread of exotic species is essential to preserving the country's unique biodiversity and the cultural heritage associated with it. Various programs, such as the cane toad control program and bounty initiatives, aim to mitigate the impact of exotic species and restore ecological equilibrium.
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The Tasmanian Devil
Tasmanian devils are primarily nocturnal scavengers, feeding on carrion and travelling up to 16 km per night in search of food. They will also eat small birds, snakes, fish, insects, and even spoiled or rotting meat. Devils are typically solitary but will come together to feed on a carcass, and they are known for their aggressive behaviour when feeding. Despite their solitary nature, they sometimes eat and defecate together in communal locations. They are also agile tree climbers, especially when young.
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