Loss of terrestrial biodiversity in Australia: Magnitude, causation, and response

Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 381(6658), P. 622 - 631

Published: Aug. 10, 2023

Australia’s biota is species rich, with high rates of endemism. This natural legacy has rapidly diminished since European colonization. The impacts invasive species, habitat loss, altered fire regimes, and changed water flows are now compounded by climate change, particularly through extreme drought, heat, wildfire, flooding. Extinction rates, already far exceeding the global average for mammals, predicted to escalate across all taxa, ecosystems collapsing. These losses symptomatic shortcomings in resourcing, law, policy, management. Informed examples advances conservation practice from control, Indigenous land management, citizen science, we describe interventions needed enhance future resilience. Many characteristics Australian biodiversity loss globally relevant, recovery requiring society reframe its relationship environment.

Language: Английский

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Zoonotic parasites associated with predation by dogs and cats

Parasites & Vectors, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Feb. 6, 2023

One of the most common behaviors cats that have an indoor/outdoor lifestyle is to bring hunted "gifts" their owners, represented by small mammals, reptiles and birds. Access outdoors dogs may represent a problematic issue, since they be at risk diseases, traffic accidents ingestion toxins. Yet, impact this population roaming predating wildlife another concerning issue receives less attention. Despite these risks, owners still prefer give outdoor access pets allow them express "natural instincts," such as hunting. Therefore, with growing > 470 million 373 worldwide, predation not only represents threat wildlife, but also door transmission for parasitic some zoonotic concern. In review, role played dogs, especially cats, in perpetuation biological life cycle parasites through rodents, birds discussed. Feral domestics contributed collapse or extinction 63 species reptiles, mammals Although ecological on wild populations well documented, diseases has received significant The associated vary from protozoan agents, toxoplasmosis, cestodes like sparganosis even nematodes toxocariasis. Raising awareness about infections will aid create responsible ownership proper actions controlling feral free-roaming cat dog worldwide.

Language: Английский

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How do invasive predators and their native prey respond to prescribed fire?

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(5)

Published: May 1, 2024

Abstract Fire shapes animal communities by altering resource availability and species interactions, including between predators prey. In Australia, there is particular concern that two highly damaging invasive predators, the feral cat ( Felis catus ) European red fox Vulpes vulpes ), increase their activity in recently burnt areas exert greater predation pressure on native prey due to increased exposure. We tested how prescribed fire occurrence extent, along with history, vegetation, topography, distance anthropogenic features (towns farms), affected (detection frequency) of cats, foxes, mammal community south‐eastern Australia. used camera traps quantify before after a burn statistically interacted these habitat variables affect activity. found little evidence influenced cats foxes no an effect kangaroo or small (<800 g) Medium‐sized mammals (800–2000 were negatively associated suggesting has negative impact short term. The lack clear from likely positive outcome management perspective. However, we highlight response dependent upon factors like size, severity, availability. Future experiments should incorporate GPS‐trackers record fine‐scale movements temperate ecosystems immediately best inform within protected areas.

Language: Английский

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Distinctive diets of eutherian predators in Australia

Royal Society Open Science, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9(10)

Published: Oct. 1, 2022

Introduction of the domestic cat and red fox has devastated Australian native fauna. We synthesized diet analyses to identify traits prey species in cat, dingo diets, which were more frequent or distinctive each predator, quantified dietary overlap. Nearly half (45%) all terrestrial mammal, bird reptile occurred diets one predators. Cat overlapped least (0.64 ± 0.27, n = 24 location/time points) changed little over 55 years study. Cats likely have eaten birds, reptiles small mammals than foxes dingoes. Dingo remained constant 53 constituted largest species, including macropods/potoroids, wombats, monotremes bandicoots/bilbies cats foxes. Fox had greater overlap with both (0.79 0.20, 37) dingoes (0.73 0.21, 42), fewer items (plant material, possums/gliders) significant spatial temporal heterogeneity 69 years, suggesting opportunity for switching (especially mammal prey) mitigate competition. Our study reinforced concerns about mesopredator impacts upon scarce/threatened need control fauna conservation. However, extensive opportunism, as well low incidence mesopredators precluded resolution debate possible suppression cats.

Language: Английский

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More than mortality: Consequences of human activity on migrating birds extend beyond direct mortality

Ornithological Applications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 125(3)

Published: May 29, 2023

Abstract Birds must contend with an array of anthropogenic threats during their migratory journeys. Many migrants are killed due to encounters artificial light, introduced species, pollutants, and other hazards, while survivors these can suffer longer-lasting negative effects. The nonlethal effects on migrating birds less well understood than direct mortality, yet both potentially contribute population declines. For example, building collisions frequently kill birds, but the numbers that survive impaired ability fly, refuel, or navigate destination time is not understood. Though immediately fatal, such injuries lead delayed mortality and, ultimately, reduced lifetime reproductive success. Furthermore, likely encounter multiple journeys, which interact synergistically further reduce fitness. instance, light pollution attracts disorients migrants, increasing likelihood window strikes, surviving may be more vulnerable predation from predators. While considerable attention has focused lethal threats, here, we review eight types migration, interactions, pathways through they exert fitness costs. In doing so, identify knowledge gaps suggest areas for future research. absence information, propose greatest reduction in cumulative impacts hazards will achieved by addressing threat types, like at night, compound impact additional threats. Direct sources recognized as a key driver declines, full understanding human activity include interacting extend beyond immediate en route influence overall migration success

Language: Английский

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Artificial refuges provide post-fire habitat for small vertebrates

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291, P. 110501 - 110501

Published: Feb. 23, 2024

The interacting threats of invasive predators and fire are key conservation issues for many species globally, yet few options available to mitigate these threats. We tested how small vertebrates in post-fire environments responded the provision artificial refuges designed provide protection from two globally significant predators—the feral cat European red fox. undertook control-impact camera trapping experiments three Australian ecoregions (Temperate, Arid, Mediterranean), after both prescribed burns wildfires. fitted GLMMs test following predictions: (1) mammals birds that nest forage structurally dense vegetation will exhibit higher activity inside refuges; (2) reptiles not be due sheltering thermoregulatory preferences; (3) as recovers predation risk decreases through time, vertebrate outside increase while decline. found were used by a range post-fire, with 56 species/groups recorded refuges. As predicted, several ground-dwelling was Contrary our second third predictions, reptile generally typically increased time This approach may have potential management tool; however, further research should include testing effect on population persistence under different environmental conditions, (e.g., severity, patterns drought) before widespread implementation is considered.

Language: Английский

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The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) as a potential invasive predator in a Critically Endangered sawfish nursery

Pacific Conservation Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 31(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Although the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is considered one of most damaging and adaptive invasive carnivorous mammals that consumes a wide variety vertebrate invertebrate taxa, there are surprisingly few reports foxes hunting fish. We observed evidence an attempted predation event by on neonate green sawfish (Pristis zijsron) within deltaic island in Ashburton River estuary, remote desert river Western Australia. The site globally important nursery where newborn arrive annually spring. Injuries to included paw/claw marks head, damage rostrum, which formidable tool used for both defence against predators detecting attacking prey, as well major hole head gills, vital respiration, osmoregulation, nitrogenous waste excretion, pH regulation, hormone production. A series tracks suggests at least parades shallow tidally influenced banks, with mud crab (Scylla serrata) having also been predated on. There have sea turtle nests nearby. This first record marine waters identifying fish prey. suggest monitoring program foxes, possibly control program, warranted prior annual seasonal colonisation this habitat nesting turtles, may turn reduce sympatric species.

Language: Английский

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Estimating feral cat (Felis catus) population density in eastern Australia’s subtropical rainforest using spatial capture-recapture incorporating unidentified individuals

Wildlife Research, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 52(2)

Published: Jan. 19, 2025

Context Management of broadly distributed invasive species requires knowledge population densities across multiple ecosystems. The feral cat (Felis catus) has a continental distribution in Australia and caused many declines extinctions; however, density estimates from several ecosystems are few or lacking. Camera trapping data coupled with spatially explicit capture–recapture analysis is suitable approach for estimating densities. However, if large portion individuals cannot be identified, estimation may difficult too low. Aims We aimed to estimate the size within subtropical Gondwanan Rainforest eastern Australia, an area world heritage status high biodiversity values, which was not known. Methods used grid 60 camera traps deployed over 305 days Border Ranges National Park, totalling 18,300 nights. employed ‘random thinning’ model that considered detections both known unknown identities. Our modelling included primary detection history identified secondary pelage type, allowed us account homogeneous types. Key results Feral estimated at 0.858 cats km−2 (95% HPDI 0.432, 1.385), much higher than average Australian continent 0.27 CI: 0.18–0.45). probability identifying unique low black tabby compared other Population sizes during four survey periods were similar, posterior medians ranging 197 202 95% highest intervals 95 329 ~234 km2 area. Conclusions study provides first robust rainforest ecosystem. Implications add growing body literature suggests productive mesic reserves Australia. World Heritage Areas should prioritised limit impacts on narrow-range endemic likely prey cats.

Language: Английский

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Predicting the global economic costs of biological invasions by tetrapods

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 967, P. 178425 - 178425

Published: Feb. 14, 2025

Globalisation has accelerated rates of biological invasions worldwide, leading to widespread environmental perturbations that often translate into rapidly expanding socio-economic costs. Although such monetary costs can be estimated from the observed effects invasions, pathways lead invasive species become economically impactful remain poorly understood. Here, we implement first global-scale test hypothesis adaptive traits influence demographic resilience predict economic costs, using terrestrial vertebrates as models given their well-catalogued impacts and characteristics. Our results reveal total global tetrapods are conservatively in tens billions dollars, with vast majority due damage mammals. These predicted by longevity, female maturation age, diet invasion pathway traits, although directionality association between these drivers varied across classes. Alarmingly, unknown for >90 % recorded established alien invaded countries. huge demonstrate necessity mitigating tetrapod filling knowledge gaps. Effective identification predictive among within groups facilitate prioritisation resources efficiently target most damaging existing emerging species.

Language: Английский

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Excluding livestock from farm dams enhances native biodiversity

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 386, P. 109623 - 109623

Published: March 15, 2025

Language: Английский

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