The impact on native herpetofauna due to traffic collision at the interface between a suburban area and the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area: an ecological disaster?

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 1040-1046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danny Wotherspoon ◽  
Shelley Burgin
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
Suburban Area ◽  
Blue Mountains ◽  
Ecological Disaster ◽  
Traffic Collision ◽  
World Heritage Area ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Heritage Area

Potential lantana invasion of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area under climate change.

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Gold ◽  
Daniel Ramp ◽  
Shawn W Laffan
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
High Capacity ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Invasive Weeds ◽  
Ecosystem Integrity ◽  
Blue Mountains ◽  
Mountainous Regions ◽  
World Heritage Area ◽  
Heritage Area

Invasive weeds represent one of the greatest threats to ecosystem integrity worldwide, with climate change predicted to allow expansion of weed ranges in coming decades. One of Australia’s worst weeds is lantana (Lantana camara) which, given the potential for climatic change, is of increasing concern to those managing the mountainous regions in the country’s southeast. In order to identify potential additional threats lantana may pose for Australia’s valued biodiversity, this research develops a habitat suitability model for lantana in a portion of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area under current and simulated warmer conditions. Minimum temperature was found to be the most important predictor correlated with potential lantana establishment, explaining over 88% of the variation in lantana presence predicted by the model. Currently, 8% of the study area was found to be suitable for lantana, with this figure reaching 94% after a simulated 2°C rise in temperature anticipated by 2050. The sharp increase in suitable habitat highlights the importance of keeping the weed’s range restricted in the study area. The strong link between temperature and predicted lantana establishment confirms prior research and further stresses the threat this weed poses to the area’s biodiversity values as the climate warms. In addition, the model identified low-lying riparian areas as potential incursion pathways for the weed to travel further inland. Given the weed’s invasiveness, potential for adverse impacts, and high capacity for dispersal, these pathways should not be overlooked when monitoring potential invasion of mountainous regions by lantana and other tropical weeds.

Current and future threats from non-indigenous animal species in northern Australia: a spotlight on World Heritage Area Kakadu National Park

2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey J. A. Bradshaw ◽  
Iain C. Field ◽  
David M. J. S. Bowman ◽  
Chris Haynes ◽  
Barry W. Brook
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
World Heritage Area ◽  
Non Indigenous Species ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Heritage Area

Non-indigenous animal species threaten biodiversity and ecosystem stability by damaging or transforming habitats, killing or out-competing native species and spreading disease. We use World Heritage Area Kakadu National Park, northern Australia, as a focal region to illustrate the current and potential threats posed by non-indigenous animal species to internationally and nationally recognised natural and cultural values. Available evidence suggests that large feral herbivores such as Asian swamp buffalo, pigs and horses are the most ecologically threatening species in this region. This may reflect the inherent research bias, because these species are highly visible and impact primary production; consequently, their control has attracted the strongest research and management efforts. Burgeoning threats, such as the already established cane toad and crazy ant, and potentially non-indigenous freshwater fish, marine invertebrates and pathogens, may cause severe problems for native biodiversity. To counter these threats, management agencies must apply an ongoing, planned and practical approach using scientifically based and well funded control measures; however, many stakeholders require direct evidence of the damage caused by non-indigenous species before agreeing to implement control. To demonstrate the increasing priority of non-indigenous species research in Australia and to quantify taxonomic and habitat biases in research focus, we compiled an extensive biography of peer-reviewed articles published between 1950 and 2005. Approximately 1000 scientific papers have been published on the impact and control of exotic animals in Australia, with a strong bias towards terrestrial systems and mammals. Despite the sheer quantity of research on non-indigenous species and their effects, management responses remain largely ad hoc and poorly evaluated, especially in northern Australia and in high-value areas such as Kakadu National Park. We argue that improved management in relatively isolated and susceptible tropical regions requires (1) robust quantification of density–damage relationships, and (2) the delivery of research findings that stimulate land managers to develop cost-effective control and monitoring programs.

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