Review of progress on invasive species
Threat abatement project (ID 49544)
Final report to the Department of the Environment and Heritage, 15 April 2005
by Agtrans Research in conjunction with Noel Dawson
About the review
This review addresses the impacts of invasive species, the distribution and abundance of invasive species, and reports activities undertaken in Australia in relation to prevention of entry, surveillance, emergency response and eradication, and containment and control.
The invasive species covered in this review include:
- weeds (both terrestrial and aquatic);
- plant diseases and invertebrate pests of plants;
- vertebrate animal pests, both terrestrial and aquatic; and
- animal diseases and invertebrate pests of animals.
Marine pests and diseases are excluded as are native species that cause negative economic or ecological impacts.
Australian efforts to manage invasive species over the past ten years have been considerable and effective. Much of this progress is presented in this review. A continuous improvement culture has been evident, enhanced coordination developed, and some outstanding technical and economic successes achieved.
Globalisation and reduced trade barriers will increase pressure from invasives even more in the future. Even small gaps that currently exist in current strategies could well have significant consequences in the future. Hence this review attempts also to identify the gaps that may be addressed in future in order to maintain the effective management record that has been displayed in the past few years.