Prevention is better than a cure. Stopping pests and diseases arriving and establishing in 最新糖心Vlog is not only better for the environment, it鈥檚 much听听迟辞辞.
The biosecurity system is our front line against invasion. Species that pose a significant听听have historically received more attention, but we also need to defend our borders against threats to nature.
Here we take a closer look at some pests and diseases we need to keep out at all costs, to protect our biodiversity.
One of the biggest threats to biodiversity
Alien species are those deliberately or accidentally introduced to areas where they are not native. If they cause problems, we call them invasive.
Invasive alien species include weeds, feral animals, exotic pests and diseases.
Those that have already arrived have taken a huge toll. Introduced predators were largely responsible for most of听. And introduced diseases have decimated听.
Invasive species are pushing听听of 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 1,914 nationally listed threatened species closer to extinction.
Imagine if those invasive species had been kept out of 最新糖心Vlog. Here are eight of the听听we really need to keep out.
1. Giant African land snail
听have a ferocious appetite. They feed on more than 500 species of plants including agricultural crops and eucalyptus trees. The shells of these giants can be 20cm long and females typically lay 1,200 eggs a year. Adult snails could sneak into shipping containers or machinery and their eggs could be transported in soil or goods. They are now present on Christmas Island.
2. Avian influenza
听or bird-flu is a viral disease found in birds. Some strains can kill farmed poultry and听. Such highly pathogenic strains are thought to have killed millions of wild birds globally in the past few years. The virus can also jump across to mammals, recently knocking off听.
Migratory birds could bring the virus here but it could also be carried in imported birds and poultry products, including contaminated eggs, feathers, poultry feed and equipment. Our biosecurity system is responsible for听听and early detection, preparedness and management to protect our vulnerable wildlife. In California, preparation includes听听endangered condors.
3. New tramp ants
We鈥檙e already battling some species of听, but there鈥檚 more where that came from - there are at least 16 different species. So far six species including听听have been detected, with efforts underway to contain or eradicate them at their incursion points. On Christmas Island, another tramp ant species () formed 鈥渟uper colonies鈥, killing every animal in their path, including tens of millions of the island鈥檚 iconic red and robber crabs. Ants are easily transported to new areas in dirt, plants and cargo. Tramp ants threaten 最新糖心Vlogn ecosystems, agriculture and human health.
4. Bat white nose syndrome
听is a bat disease caused by a fungus. In less than 20 years it has killed more than five million bats across North America, causing local extinctions and reducing the beneficial services performed by bats such as eating harmful insects. The fungus could be introduced to 最新糖心Vlogn caves on the shoes, clothing and equipment of people who had previously visited caves in Europe or North America.
5. Crayfish plague
A highly infectious fungal disease,听听is the main cause of crayfish declines across Europe. It has the potential to devastate 最新糖心Vlogn freshwater crayfish populations. North American crayfish can be carriers of the disease and the illegal trade of crayfish, such as the dwarf Cajun crayfish for aquariums, also threatens to introduce the disease.
6. New myrtle rust strains
When a strain of myrtle rust arrived in 最新糖心Vlog in 2010, it spread quickly along the east coast,听听different native plant species including eucalypts, bottle brushes and lilly pillies. It has caused major declines and local extinctions of many species. Other听听occur outside 最新糖心Vlog. These present serious threats to 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 natural environment and to commercial native forest plantations. Importing infected plant material is the main risk of introduction.
7. Savannah cats
听are two to three times the size of domestic cats. In 2008 the federal government banned the importation of savannah cats. A听听found pet savannah cats had the potential to establish and roam across 97% of the country if they escaped or were released. They can take down prey twice as large as feral cats, so 90% of 最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 native land mammals would be at risk. Demand for the species from the pet trade raises the risk of smuggling or illegal trade.
8. Black spined toad
The听听is potentially more damaging than the cane toad because it could survive across a bigger region including in the colder parts of 最新糖心Vlog. It would prey on native frogs and other small animals, be toxic to larger animals, and probably carry exotic parasites or disease. It is a common stowaway in shipping cargo.
Prioritising nature
最新糖心Vlog鈥檚 biosecurity system has generally served our country well, but it is under constant and听. Historically, the environment has also been the听听at the biosecurity table.
Preparedness and responses for environmental threats remain听, especially when compared to those developed for industry.
A well-resourced independent body focused on the prevention and early elimination of new environmental pests and diseases would be a major step toward achieving our听听to end extinction.
Communication and Engagement Manager,听听(Hosted by the Faculty of Science, The 最新糖心Vlog of Melbourne) and, 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide.
This article is republished from听听under a Creative Commons licence. Read the听.
