Feral Herald Newsletter of the Invasive Species Council, Australia Working to stop further invasions
Issue 21, April 2009 ISSN 1449-891X Double Trouble ISC takes climate change and invasive species warning to the world
The Invasive Species Council has attracted interest from all over the world with the launch of Double Trouble, our new pests and climate change ebulletin. HOW TO SIGN UP FOR DOUBLE TROUBLE Low warned that while climate As an ISC member you will automatically receive our new ebulletin Double " # $ % " change will create a world of subscribe to the ebulletin by emailing us at [email protected]. many losers there will be winners as well. He said native species killed highlighting the links between makers that we urgently need to or stressed by climate change invasive species and climate prepare for the combined dan- will all too often be replaced by change. gers of climate change and inva- weeds and feral animals. ! sive species, many of which are “Floods, storms, cyclones, published we were contacted by expected to thrive in the extreme weather events predicted under the Kenya-based Global Invasive climate change. climate experts will speed up Species Programme, who then invasion,” Tim said. “Extreme put a link to Double Trouble on We also hope Double Trou- - their website. ble will increase awareness of ing or destroying competing na- And while the bulk of new sub- the growing need to recognise invasive species as a major tive plants, and often by deliver- scribers are Australian, Double component of the climate change ing a pulse of nutrients.” Trouble has also attracted people problem, and that they warrant In the race to understand cli- working on invasive species more publicity, research focus, mate change, very few biologists issues as far away as Mexico, policy development, and funding or policy makers are address- Tahiti, Taiwan, France, the US, for prevention and control. ing the pest threat. The Invasive Netherlands and the UK. We will publish Double Trouble Species Council is the main The ebulletin is aimed squarely conservation NGO in Australia at convincing decision and policy continued page 2
ISC Invasive Species Council AUSTRALIA Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions Fox stop no barrier to foxes CONTENTS / " : ; has A review of the bounty scheme Double Trouble ...... 1 launched a wasteful scheme to by Victorian Department of reward recreational hunters for Primary Industries biologists Fox stop no barrier ...... 2 shooting foxes. In January Victo- Fairbridge and Marks found it First in conservation? ...... 3 rian Premier John Brumby an- reduced fox abundance in less From the president ...... 4 nounced $400,000 in funding over than 4 per cent of the state. Bi- Jatropha the ‘blunder crop’ ...5 four years for the Fox Stop 2009 ologists had estimated that a 65 .....6-8 program, which will be managed per cent annual reduction in fox Garden escapees ...... 9 by two shooting groups. populations was needed to make ...... 10 Members of the groups who any difference. Invasives coalition...... 11 shoot foxes will enter a draw for The federal standard operating ISC on Bush Telegraph ...... 11 a 4WD vehicle and other prizes, procedures for fox control com- piled by NSW pest experts Trudy New website ...... 11 with awards for junior shooters and “a special ladies prize”. Sharp and Glen Saunders (2004) Europe and pest species .....12 CEO of Field and Game note that shooting is “ineffec- Foxes in Tasmania ...... 12 Australia Rod Drew said the " + ...... 12 initiative recognises the “valuable populations, particularly over the ...... 13 contribution hunters make to fox longer-term”. Ramsar wetlands threat ...... 14 eradication”, while the Sporting They explain that young, inex- Leaf litter ...... 14 Shooters Association of Australia perienced foxes, which are easily ....15 (Victoria) uses its website to urge lured into a shooter’s range, are more likely to be killed by shoot- $2.5 million for weeds ...... 15 members to “sharpen those fox ing and that the breeding rate Quarantine laws ...... 17 hunting skills and rid the state of our most persistent pest”. and survival of remaining animals ' "" is enhanced. from the funding initiative. The Fox Stop scheme is not It is unreasonable to claim that an effective way to reduce fox threats in Victoria. recreational hunters will “rid the P + - State Government media re- Invasive Species cantly contribute to fox eradica- lease: Fox Stop 2009 – Taking Council Inc. tion through this scheme. It is Action on Foxes - http://www. ABN 101 522 829 another (and weaker) version of premier.vic.gov.au/minister-for- the failed 2002-2003 Victorian agriculture/fox-stop-2009-taking- www.invasives.org.au fox bounty, which resulted in action-on-foxes.html. PO Box 166 170,000 dead foxes for virtually Foxstop 2009 – www.ssaavic. ! "#% &'() # com.au/foxstop/ Email [email protected] DOUBLE TROUBLE from page 1
Editors every two months as part of our infested more than 5.3 million Tim Low & Carol Booth Pests and Climate Change Project. hectares throughout the Murray- Layout Darling Basin but is still being sold John Sampson it can be found online at http:// as low-maintenance lawn cover, doubletroublebulletin.wordpress. and a piece about continued " + com/. Our most popular stories pressure being applied to open include a warning that the recent Australia up to weedy biofuels. those of ISC. 8 " If you have story ideas for ISSN 1449-891X way for an explosion in weeds, Double Trouble please email us at a yarn about a weed that has [email protected].
Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 2 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions # / #< % < = ">/# Those running feral animal con- trol programs must be clenching their teeth over the gush of money to recreational hunters for alleged feral animal control. Game Council NSW has re- ceived more than $6 million from the NSW State Government over " ;<==>% 2009), as well as about $500,000 each year in licence fees. In return hunters licensed by the council have managed to kill on average 6554 feral animals each year (about half of them rabbits) across 2 million hectares of state ; <==?% 2008, the latest available). When “Hunt deer this year” ads ran in major Australian daily newspapers earlier this year. boiled down the numbers reveal the Game Council has spent $323 (1) There is “an abundance” of With so much government for every feral animal killed by rec- - funding in NSW (and some in reational shooters in state forests tional hunting is effective for feral Victoria) going to recreational between 2006 and 2008. " " " - hunters, they cannot claim that This level of funding could buy cial for conservation; they offer a free or low cost substantial feral animal control if (2) Recreational hunters offer service. The funding per feral carried out as part of professional a “free” or “low cost” service that animal killed by hunters licensed programs using effective meth- governments should use to control by the NSW Game Council is ods. Unfortunately, because most feral animals on public lands; and exceedingly high compared professional feral animal control to most professional control experts are employed by govern- (3) The motivations of hunters programs. And the service is not ments, they will have to keep their are aligned to conservation, and worth having – free or not – if it is jaws shut rather than speak out provide the most effective basis against such a waste of money. for conservation. ineffective. Recreational hunting groups The Invasive Species Council Finally, the big worry with have been making unreasonable has recently published a critique opening up large public lands, claims about their contribution to of these claims – see http://www. including national parks in Victoria, conservation through control of fe- invasives.org.au/hunting.html. to recreational hunters is that ral animals. In recent ads promot- In brief, there is no “abundance” some mavericks will introduce ing deer hunting, the NSW Game more feral animals to improve Council used the slogan “Hunters recreational hunters effectively their hunting options. There is – First in Conservation”. The latest control feral animal populations. good evidence this has occurred issue (Volume 11, Issue 1) of the ' " with pigs and deer. There are Australian Shooters Journal (ASJ), ground shooting is an ineffective other problems as well – the loss published as “the political voice” of method of control for most feral or escape of hunting dogs and the Sporting Shooters Association animals and, at best, supplements the meat left behind that bolsters of Australia claims that: other more effective methods. populations of feral predators. Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 3 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions =<>/= =M / #U= #"= – from the president # to see a recent senate re- This is not just an Australian phenomenon. Austral- view of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity ians are more aware than most. Only in 2002 did the Conservation Act 1999 fail to address invasive spe- European Council recognise invasive alien species as cies. Apart from acknowledging that threat abatement one of the main causes of biodiversity loss as well as plans for key threatening processes are poorly funded the cause of serious harm to the economy and health. and implemented, the senate report (see http://www. Why is this so? Reasons may include the following: aph.gov.au/senate/committee/eca_ctte/epbc_act/ 1) The nature of the threat – invasive species are report/index.htm) was silent on this issue. diverse (including plants, animals and diseases) and It is hard to understand how the review could have often poorly known (biological knowledge is required so thoroughly ignored one of the top three threats to distinguish exotic from indigenous). to Australian biodiversity when current regulatory 2) The nature of the harm – in contrast to land clear- regimes are manifestly failing to avert or mitigate the ing, invasive species often cause harm slowly and threats. " " + # " The Invasive Species Council made a compre- to predict the outcomes of introducing a new species. hensive submission and staff members Carol Booth They are often regarded as primarily a problem for and Tim Low appeared by phone before the inquiry. agriculture, and there has long been a bias in man- Our major focus was on the need to address invasive agement focus on agricultural pests and weeds. species that can be imported into Australia (mostly &W / ; – with for historical reasons rather than because they have diverse pathways of invasion, the globalisation of passed a risk assessment) and that constitute the trade, and numerous needs and wants for exotic enormous pool of existing and potential threats to species (for agriculture, gardens, pets, hunting), it biodiversity. This includes the 2700 or so plant spe- " \ cies that are recognised weeds in Australia and the implement effective regulatory regimes. To prevent additional 6000 or so that are weeds overseas (and invasions requires understanding and acting on long- thus have a high potential of becoming weeds here). term risks, and to address entrenched threats often The Federal Government has existing legislative pow- requires long-term and expensive control. ers under the EPBC Act that it is ignoring. 4) Human preferences for particular species – We hope the independent review of the EPBC Act while most Australians want to see cane toads con- underway will acknowledge invasive species threats trolled (and banished if it were possible), there are and recommend that the Federal Government take many other harmful species that many people do not " "" # want banned or regulated (because they are useful, ISC again made a comprehensive submission and Carol and Tim met with the reviewer, Dr Allan Hawke. beautiful or enjoyed), deer for example. The failure of the senate review is part of a broader 5) A belief that little can be done – foxes, toads and pattern of invasive species not receiving due recogni- carp were introduced many decades ago and cannot tion. ISC was established in 2002 out of a recognition be eradicated today, leading to a belief among con- that invasive species, apart from well-recognised servationists that nothing can be achieved by cam- threats such as cane toads, cats and foxes, are paigning in this area. How wrong they are. mostly ignored by environment groups. YW Z ; R - While there is now greater awareness within the vironmental problems, but many invasive species environment movement about this issue, there is still problems are only solved by killing introduced ani- little advocacy focus. Only a few other submissions to " - the reviews of the EPBC Act mentioned invasive spe- ful, even though they agree it must be done. cies, whereas the other top threats of climate change Could you add to this list? If so email your thoughts and land clearing were almost universally acknowl- to us at [email protected]. edged. ISC President, Steve Mathews Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 4 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions JATROPHA THE ‘BLUNDER CROP’ !" # $ # Q #R ' ( ) In our 2007 report about weedy biofueIs (see http://www. invasives.org.au/biofuels.html), ISC warned in particular about jatropha (Jatropha curcas), which has been promoted worldwide as a “miracle plant”, and as “green " P ; [ American). We noted the similarity between the rhetoric it was at- tracting and the unrealistic way in which deer farming was promoted (as “Gold on Four Legs”), and warned that, like deer, this plant would not match the hype. The jatropha bubble has burst even more quickly than we expect- ed. Biofuels Digest, the world’s major website promoting biofuels, recently released a report in which digest manager Jim Lane dwells Hailed as a miracle plant for the biofuel industry a new report reveals jatropha is turning on the many disappointments into something of a disappointment, often realising less than half its projected yields. jatropha is creating. In the report, The Blunder What is new is that At the fourth African Biofuels Crop, Lane notes that jatropha “ jatropha growers and conference held in March-April this is realising “less than half its biofuel advocates are now year, Vincent Volckaert from D1 Oils warned against calling jat- projected yields in most projects, ropha a miracle crop. His presen- and less than a third of optimistic of this crop themselves. tation to the conference, subtitled estimates that led jatropha to be Beyond the Myth of the Miracle labeled ‘the wonder crop’.” harvesters. Crop, mentioned three jatropha Jatropha was claimed to be the 3. The lack of adequate soil myths – it is a tough and robust ultimate biofuel because it would testing in the rush to plant. tree, can grow in marginal grow on land unsuitable for other None of this says anything new. conditions, and does not need In our 2007 report we wrote that: crops. The Farm Policy Journal in fertiliser. 2007 claimed that 20 million hec- “yields had been greatly over- These are the same myths jat- tares of marginal land in northern estimated and logistical problems ropha proponents were expound- Australia was suited to jatropha. ignored. Like any other crop, jat- ing when we wrote our report less ropha will not produce high yields But Jim Lane has drawn than two years ago. unless it is watered and fertilised. attention to three problems In his revealing powerpoint Yields based on well-tended crops surrounding this plant: presentation (available at http:// had been extrapolated to waste- 1. Hype about jatropha’s toler- www.ascension-publishing.com/ lands…” ance of poor soils and high yields BIZ/4ABVolckaert.pdf), Volckaert What is new is that jatropha that fails to acknowledge that the notes that single trees are “look- growers and biofuel advocates are plant survives, but hardly thrives, ing healthy but once you grow the in poor soil. now playing down the prospects of this crop themselves. 2. The lack of mechanical continued page 16 Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 5 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions * # + , " . Geoff Carr warns of the dangers if we ignore fuel buildup of woody environmental / 0 #" # 3) / of Febru- Fuel-reduction burning can dangerous fantasy. Nonetheless ary 2009 in Victoria have left never be the only measure to since Black Saturday I have seen everyone deeply shocked. They "" several letters to the editor of daily will force changes that will hope- the rural-urban interface where we newspapers advocating just this. fully include better-informed at- have seen such destruction, not ! " "% least the Surf Coast settlements in reduction program using pre- management of the risks. the Ash Wednesday holocaust. In scribed burns in Victoria is logisti- Much of the resulting debate in many locations, forests and wood- cally and economically unachiev- the news media has been polar- " " able and unsustainable. ised and ill-informed, including or fuel reduction burning, again ! considerable “greenie-bashing”, + " whether at local, regional or state or three years after they were with commentators ranging from level, must embrace a wide range burnt (eg in the Victorian Alps and private individuals to media col- of initiatives to minimise the risk at Aireys Inlet). umnists and ostensibly objective " CSIRO scientists. Some vegetation of the types property and the environment However, objectivity has often consumed in the February 2009 " # gone out the window in this welter " M " " ` Issues demanding greater con- of comment – what masquerades Ash forest – are not fuel-reduced - as objectivity is too often politically by DSE because such action runs ment responses (ie legislation) in- motivated. It is a sad day when { - clude the design and construction opportunistic, self-serving com- ing and because Mountain Ash of houses. Why this lesson was ment rides on the back of others’ % not learned in 1983 following Ash misfortune. { "" " # Wednesday, despite all the talk at Much of the comment has fo- | " " # cused on the alleged failure of the M }= Another issue concerns sources Department of Sustainability and were killed in 1978 on the Princes of ignition. Why shouldn’t the in- Environment (DSE) to carry out Highway at Lara in an agricultural " landscape. with the follow-on that the environ- In the unprecedented condi- dangerous equipment/practices ment movement has blood on its tions that prevailed in February (such as slashers, trail bikes and hands because it does not favour 2009, any and all vegetation and welders – all recently documented fuel reduction burning. Such com- any other organic matter will burn. " plicated issues demand greater While there was unprecedented analysis than can be given here but dryness in fuels (severe drought), culpable arson? several points need to be made. extremely low humidity, extreme There are many problems with There is a very important role winds and temperatures exceed- the approach to fuel reduction for fuel-reduction burning in ing 46°C, these conditions cannot burning that is widely practiced in " 8 now be dismissed as once-in- Victoria’s Surf Coast Shire, but my scale and frequency (how often) a-lifetime events; they are likely focus in the following discussion and timing (season) that need to to be recurrent. The notion that is another overlooked aspect of " " # O % P minimising fuel buildup – dealing Many fuel-reduction burns have or shrubs (such as New Zealand with woody weeds. escaped, often with disastrous mirror bush and sweet pittospo- In recent decades a huge pro- consequences, such as the 1981 rum) can be used to help protect portion of fuel buildup along Victo- ! " # property should be dismissed as ria’s Surf Coast and hinterland has Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 6 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions ; Fire threatens the edges of Lilly Pilly car park at Wilsons Promontory in Victoria. Photo courtesy Parks Victoria been caused by the unrestricted (Melaleuca), sweet pittosporum, teristics (in many species) that proliferation of woody environmen- hakea, eucalypts, coast tea-tree, enable them to fuel very intense tal weeds. The problem of weed cape wattle (Albizzia), kunzea, " " invasion locally and regionally is bluebell creeper and many others \ " " " " " ; well known and documented. In (see Appendix 1, next page). " " ; - summary, weed invasions consti- These plants look as though dant small leaves and branches) \ they belong but they do not. One and the formation of very dense fauna, landscape heritage and native plant is not as good as an- thickets. Stands of these species amenity values in the Shire, val- other and the introduced species (coast tea-tree and coast wattle) ues of national and international will destroy most of the unique often produce fuel loads greatly "" " - " " \ # exceeding (perhaps by several or- " " # Why should we be concerned ders of magnitude) the natural fuel loads in the invaded dunes, cliffs, current trends over the next few about fuel loads provided by these heathlands, heathy woodlands or decades invading weeds will de- weeds? forests of the Surf Coast. stroy or greatly (and irrevocably) These introduced Australian Such massive fuel loads often compromise many of these values " " + " % " because weed control efforts fall adapted plants that have evolved is sterilised, killing all plants and so far short of those required. "" \ seeds stored in the soil and forcing The greater proportion of these # the vegetation to recover through invading trees, shrubs and woody They survive by resprouting after seeds dispersed from off-site, vines are Australian native plants { "" " many of which may also be weeds. – scores of species that have es- seed stored in the soil (eg wat- In the intervening period these caped from cultivation, particularly tles) or in the canopy (Melaleuca, sterilised soils are highly vulner- along the coast from Anglesea to Hakea) to provide another genera- able to erosion, with risks to water tion of young recruits. Lorne. They include more than 60 quality of streams and estuaries. species of wattles, including sal- A few mother plants can pro- In many respects Ash Wednes- low wattle and coast wattle (Aca- duce thousands, even millions, cia), paperbarks/honey-myrtles of recruits in this way. Charac- continued next page Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 7 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions Coastal tea tree Giant Honey-myrtle Bluebell Creeper Appendix 1: Weedy Australian plant species naturalised (as garden escapees) in Victoria’s Surf Coast Shire Scientific name Common name Scientific name Common name Comon name Scientific name Acacia baileyana Cootamundra Wattle Correa alba var. alba White Correa Hakea petiolaris Sea-urchin Hakea Acacia decurrens Early Black-wattle Corymbia calophylla Marri Hakea salicifolia subsp. Willow-leaf Hakea salicifolia Acacia elata Cedar Wattle Corymbia ficifolia Red-flowering Gum Hardenbergia violacea Purple Coral-pea Acacia iteaphylla Corymbia maculata Spotted Gum Kennedia nigricans Black Coral-pea Acacia floribunda White Sallow-wattle Eucalyptus botryoides Southern Mahogany Kennedia rubicunda Dusky Coral-pea Acacia longifolia subsp. Sallow Wattle Eucalyptus camaldulensis River Red Gum Kunzea ambigua White Kunzea longifolia Acacia longifolia Coast Wattle Eucalyptus cladocalyx Sugar Gum Kunzea baxteri Red Kunzea subsp. sophorae Acacia provincialis Wirilda Eucalyptus conferruminata Bushy Yate Kunzea ericoides s.l. Burgan Acacia saligna Golden Wreath Wattle Eucalyptus cornuta Yate Leptospermum laevigatum Coast Tea-tree Acacia schinoides Frosty Wattle Eucalyptus crenulata Buxton Gum Melaleuca armillaris Giant subsp. armillaris Honey-myrtle Acmena smithii Lilly-pilly Eucalyptus diversifolia ssp. Soap Mallee Melaleuca decussata Totem-poles megacarpa Agonis flexuosa Willow Myrtle Eucalyptus globulus subsp. Southern Blue-gum Melaleuca diosmifolia Green Honey- globulus myrtle Agonis juniperina Juniper Myrtle Eucalyptus gomphocephala Tuart Melaleuca halmaturorum Salt Paperbark Agonis parviceps Agonis Eucalyptus kitsoniana Bog Gum Melaleuca hypericifolia Hillock Bush Angophora costata Smooth-barked Apple Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. Coast Yellow-gum Melaleuca incana subsp. Grey Honey-myrtle subsp. costata megalocarpa incana Astartea heteranthera Astartea Eucalyptus saligna Sydney Blue Gum Melaleuca nesophila Showy Honey- myrtle Banksia integrifolia subsp. Coast Banksia Eucalyptus sideroxylon Red Ironbark Melaleuca parvistaminea Rough-barked integrifolia Honey-myrtle Billardiera heterophylla Bluebell Creeper Eucalyptus verrucata Mt Abrupt Stringybark Pandorea pandorana Wonga Vine Callistachys lanceolata Greenbush Eucalyptus viminalis ssp. Manna Gum Paraserianthes lophantha Cape Wattle Viminalis subsp. lophantha Callistemon hybrid Bottlebrush Grevillea rosmarinifolia Rosemary Grevillea Pittosporum undulatum Sweet Pittosporum Callistemon rigidus Bottlebrush Hakea drupacea Sweet Hakea Syzygium paniculatum Lilly Pilly Callistemon rugulosus Scarlet Bottlebrush Hakea elliptica Westringia fruticosa Coast Rosemary Casuarina glauca Swamp Oak Hakea laurina Pincushion Hakea Sources of data: Moysey, E.D., Carr G.W., Kershaw, J.S. and Quin, D.G (2006). Environment and Land Management Plan – 8 " < $ " 8 " # | # " ! " " 8 # (G. Carr unpubl. data). Species in bold are extremely serious environmental weeds. Photos from Wikimedia Commons: Coastal Tea Tree - Stephen Bain. ))) mulated fuel loads. In the event of + day 1983 was a turning point " risk the messages are clear: elimi- for these weedy invaders. They nation of the fuel loads provided were (and are) widely planted in is likely to be greatly exacerbated. by these weeds is mandatory, and Torquay, Anglesea, Aireys Inlet, For many reasons we should we must destroy naturalised (wild) Lorne and elsewhere. Those cata- not tolerate these and other envi- populations of the weeds as soon " ronmental weed species invading as possible. The cultivation of regeneration and recruitment of the heaths, woodlands, forests, weedy species must be proscribed these Australian plants. Now, 25 dunes and cliffs of the Surf Coast %" "" " years later, there are vast accu- Shire. In a new and unimagined to manage these risks. Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 8 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions plant Lantana is now environmental weed throughout eastern Australia. Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, k : ! Bugwood.org GARDEN ESCAPEES ON THE RUN It’s about time the Federal Government recognised weeds as one of the . R # ") The federal Threatened Species in the nomination came from a asparagoides), lantana (Lantana % ;; is consider- 2006 Weeds CRC study by Aaron camara), rubbervine (Cryptostegia ing a nomination to list escaped Coutts-Smith and Paul Downey. \ ;` garden plants as a key threatening That study found that in NSW pigra) are just a small sample. process under the Environment alone weeds are a threat to As well as the advantages of Protection and Biodiversity Act just under half the state’s listed 1999. threatened species, and that from the category listing, it Of 17 currently listed key threat- 65 per cent of those weeds are also helps put the spotlight on ening processes, 12 involve inva- escaped garden plants. emerging or potentially threatening sive species (seven for vertebrate In responding to the nomination, garden species that would not yet pests, two for invertebrate pests ISC found that about half of qualify as individual threatening and three for pathogens). Of 10 Australia’s federally listed processes. One of our top threat abatement plans, nine are ecological communities have priorities should be addressing for invasive species, showing how one or more escaped garden these emerging threats. seriously they threaten Australia’s plants listed as a threat in their The nomination “Loss and biodiversity. But not one is for an conservation advice. degradation of native plant and invasive plant. Although “escaped garden animal habitat by invasion of The Invasive Species plants” covers a very large escaped garden plants, including Council has made a substantial category of threats consisting of cultivated and aquatic plants” as submission to support the hundreds of individual species, it a key threatening process under declaration (http://www. is an appropriate threat category the EPBC Act can be found on the invasives.org.au/downloads/ because the impacts of different Department of the Environment, ISC_submission_garden_KTP_ weeds are very often similar and Water, Heritage and the Arts april09B.pdf) and recommends it represents one major invasion website – http://www.environment. that a threat abatement plan pathway. gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/ be prepared. Although it is A number of weeds that ktp/invasion-escaped-garden- widely recognised that invasive originated as garden plants plants.html. The 2006 Weeds garden plants are a major threat CRC study can be downloaded to biodiversity, there is poor in their own right and could from http://www.weedscrc.org.au/ documentation of the threats. be listed as individual threats publications/technical_series.html, The bulk of information used — bridal creeper (Asparagus see technical series #11 Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 9 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions / qk%Z # y #< <=z "=
Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 10 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions # New website ; ; ;{ in the pipeline
The Invasive Species " \ - + Steve Page Council has taken the plain management. launched ISC into cyberspace with "R R ready to revamp www.invasives. a coalition of environ- years working for org.au by giving it a new look and ment NGOs to work WWF (Australia) adding to its online tools. together on invasive brokering voluntary The ISC board this month species issues. We conservation agree- signed off on a contract with web- have employed Sarah ments over important site developers Studio Exit and as Moles (pictured) as a wetlands and devel- soon as the ink is dry we’ll begin part-time project of- oping management shaping our new site. " " plans for Ramsar listed As well as building on current this coalition and so far a dozen wetlands. site content we will also introduce state and national NGOs have Sarah is also a writer, and with a number of improvements, includ- agreed in principle to join. her artist partner has recently pub- ing the ability to pay membership More news on this important lished The Dying Darling, which online and allowing members and development soon! tells the story of the Darling River non-members to sign-up to re- ISC is very pleased to welcome by documenting in words and ceive ISC media releases and our Sarah. She brings extensive expe- dramatic charcoal sketches how new ebulletin Double Trouble. rience with environmental advo- different landholders, traditional One of the most popular areas cacy, primarily on water issues, a owners, scientists and politicians of the current site we want to con- strong focus on the Murray-Darling see the river and are affected by tinue with is the “rogue’s gallery”, Basin, the Great Artesian Basin, its decline. an online picture library of Aus- tralia’s nastiest invasive species through images and words. Let us ISC on Bush Telegraph know if you have invasive species images we can use. Invasive Species Council project to some other group, resulting in We hope the new website will incomplete weed control and poor help the council lift membership CRC CEO Rachel McFadyen were long-term outcomes. numbers and awareness of our interviewed on ABC Radio Na- The radio spot also gave us a past and present campaigns. tional’s Bush Telegraph last month chance to plug the launch of our If you would like to make in a wide ranging discussion about new pests and climate change any suggestions about how Australia’s weed problems. ebulletin Double Trouble, and the new site could better serve 8 \ Bush Telegraph posted a link to ISC members please email our in north Queensland provided the # communications advisor John opening for discussions about the “The Invasive Species Council Sampson (johnsampson@ capacity of weeds to invade after " "" - invasives.org.au). extreme events. tin on the interactions of climate We would like to thank Steve Page for his committed and Tim and Rachel both criticised change and invasive species,” dedicated work developing and the way in which weed control in noted the ABC website. managing our current website. Australia is funded largely by com- Bush Telegraph story: Thank you Steve! petitive grants, formerly disbursed http://www.abc.net.au/rural/tele We also want to thank the through the National Heritage graph/content/2006/s2508174.htm donor who has made this project Trust and now Caring for Country. You can read Double possible. It is a very precious gift A community group will often Trouble online by going to: that we hope to transform into receive funding for two years, but http://doubletroublebulletin. a more powerful voice for the the next round of funding will go wordpress.com/ environment.
Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 11 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions Europe – a plodder when Foxes it comes to pest species ; While we lament the lack of ap- " in Tasmania propriate priority given to invasive comprehensive, dedicated EU species issues in Australia, the legislation. There is no room for doubting sad truth is that we are at the glo- There are many barriers to ef- that foxes are now a real and bal forefront on invasive species fective action on invasive species present danger to Tasmania’s issues, with most other countries in Europe. One is very low public native biodiversity after genetic lagging behind. awareness of invasive species analysis of faecal samples re- Until very recently the Euro- problems. Another is free trade vealed the presence of eight indi- pean Commission ignored the arrangements under the EU single vidual foxes on the island state. " # - Invasive species are Given the elusiveness of foxes munication on invasive species, genetic analysis is a very impor- estimated to cost the EU which presents options for an EU “ tant method for assessing fox Strategy on Invasive Species, $12 billion euros ($22 billion presence. Research has shown was released for public comment > W } that foxes at a density of one in December 2008 (see http:// animal per 25 square kilometres ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/ market (based on the principle of O " " P# invasivealien/index_en.htm). free movement of goods within the In Tasmania researchers sus- There are an estimated 11,000 EU) and the World Trade Organi- pect fox densities may be as low exotic species in Europe, 10-15 { " as one animal per 500 square per cent of which are expected ban trade in invasive species. kilometres. to have an adverse ecological or Higher awareness in Australia is The spread of foxes in Tasma- economic impact. Invasive spe- understandable given that we live nia is predicted to put 78 native cies are estimated to cost the on an island continent not colo- vertebrate species at risk, includ- EU $12 billion euros ($22 billion nised by Europeans until 1788. In ing 12 threatened species. Australian) a year. Europe many plants and animals Foxes are blamed for the were moved around in Roman and Options include a Europe-wide extinction from mainland Aus- medieval times, leading to uncer- early warning system to report tralia of the so-called Tasmanian new and emerging species, risk tainty about the status of many pademelon, Tasmanian bettong, assessments, and voluntary codes species. Most Britons do not know and eastern quoll. of practice “to encourage respon- that rabbits, hares, rats, garden sible behaviour by retailers and snails and Scotch thistles are For more information visit: http:// consumers”. introduced species. www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/ =+ ! > that the crease between 2007 and 2010. countries becomes more frequent world’s increasingly busy airways The risks of spreading invasive – Tatem noted research showing along with regional climate chang- species are enormous – consider that recent increases in the rates es are likely to further increase the that in the 12 months from 1 June of biological invasion and past rates of biological invasion and 2006, there were 35 million sched- interception rates are inversely re- spread of infectious diseases. " \ lated to the gross national income 3570 airports on over 44,000 dif- While working at the University of origin countries. of Oxford Andrew Tatem analysed ferent routes. This network brings "" \ spatially distant ecosystems into Tatem, A.J. (2009) The worldwide " - contact on a frequent basis. airline network and the dispersal tions between regions of the world Not surprisingly, the risks have of exotic species: 2007—2010. with similar climates would in- increased as air travel from poorer Ecography 32(1): 94-102.
Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 12 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions
The Convention on Biological Diversity features red deer as one of the many invasive species causing havoc for native biodiversity around the world. Photo: Global Invasive Species Database # { M turning the spotlight on invasives / R # will Miconia calvescens heighten global awareness of the and two related species, native to terrible damage caused to the Central and South planet’s natural environments by America, are a serious threat to rainforest invasive species. in eastern Australia. Promoting the day (May 22) Miconia was planted in botanic gardens on its website the Convention and sold in nurseries. on Biological Diversity notes that Eradication efforts invasive species have affected al- Queensland, where the most every ecosystem type on the recorded. planet and are one of the greatest Photo: Global Invasive threats to biodiversity. Species Database “Since the 17th century, inva- sive alien species have contrib- uted to nearly 40 per cent of all animal extinctions for which the cause is known,” it says. It also notes that the annual environmental losses caused by introduced species in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, India and Brazil have been calculated at over US$100 billion. ISC will use the day to pro- ; O " { download a booklet on invasive mote the need for more action on for new team member”, page 11). alien species from the convention invasive species in Australia – and Check out our website in May for we hope to do so in cooperation information about the day. the day by going to http://www. with other environment NGOs For more information you can cbd.int/idb/2009/.
Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 13 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions
Other Road & railroads Invasives a Shipping lanes Species mortality Indirect species effects major threat Tourism & recreation areas Residential & commercial development Housing & urban areas to Ramsar Commercial & Industrial areas Pollution Industrial & military effluent Household sewerage & urban wastewater wetlands Garbage & solid waste Excess energy # R { { Airborne industrial/commercial pollutants that weeds and pests are harming Agricultural effluents Other ecosystem modification Australia’s internationally recog- Fire & fire suppression Dams & water management/use nised wetlands. Invasive & other problematic species Problematic native invasive species To mark World Wetlands Day Invasive non-native/alien species on February 2 this year the Fed- THREATS War, civil unrest & military exercises Recreational activities eral Government highlighted a Human intrusions & disturbances Mining & quarrying 2007 assessment of Australia’s Energy production & mining Ecosystem degradation 64 Ramsar-listed wetlands that Temperature extremes " { Storms & flooding Habitat shifting & alteration threats and impacts by each of the Climate change & severe weather Logging & wood harvesting site managers. Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals Gathering terrestrial plants " Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources Increased weed abundance Wood & pulp plantations Marine & freshwater agriculture Livestock farming & grazing Annual & perrennial non-timber crops 18 sites (the fourth most frequent Agriculture & aquaculture key impact noted) and increased 0 1 2 3 4 5 pest animals was one of the top NUMBER OF SITES # " { { Increased pest animals was one threats at more than half the nal Report – http://www.environ { " of the 10 marine sites. inland Ramsar sites (17 of 31 ment.gov.au/water/publications/ wetlands). Invasive/pest species were environmental/wetlands/ The Ramsar Snapshot Study - Fi- ramsar-snapshot-study.html Leaf litter – time to turn over a new leaf One aspect of weed invasion deros polymorpha), and found that " + that receives little attention is the weed increases the abundance nitrogen. the impact of weed leaf litter on of introduced fragmenters (amphi- There is anecdotal evidence to ground-dwelling invertebrates and pods and isopods) by 400 per cent suggest introduced grasses such micro-organisms. One hears much and invasive predaceous ants by as molasses grass (Melinis minuti- talk about camphor laurel leaves 200 per cent. The increase in frag- ) produce litter that is avoided affecting insects in streams, but menters resulted in faster break- by Australian invertebrates. Proper very little about the impact of most down of leaf litter, and the increase studies to document any differ- other weeds when leaves are in invasive ants could increase ences should be undertaken. shed. More research is needed. predation of native invertebrates, In Hawaii, a team of biologists although this was not assessed. Tuttle, N.C., Beard, K.H. & Pitt, led by Nathania Tuttle compared Peacocksplume is a nitrogen- W.C. (2009) ‘Invasive litter, not an the leaf litter produced by the + " invasive insectivore, determines weedy tree, Peacocksplume pronounced differences might invertebrate communities in Ha- (Falcataria moluccana), and the be expected. Australia has many waiian forests.’ Biological Inva- dominant native ohia tree (Metrosi- % + " sions 11: 845–855
Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 14 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions > from weeds and feral animals
The Federal Government re- cently listed nine snail species as of Norfolk Island and four from Lord Howe Island. All have taken a hammering from a variety of invasive species. The Phillip Island Helicarionid Snail, for example, is now listed as critically endangered, and while it “may” survive on Phillip Island it has been lost from Norfolk Island. The listing advice on threats notes predation by the Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans) and the ship rat (Rattus rattus); loss of vegetation on Phillip Island by the grazing of pigs, goats and rabbits; and In Hawaii introduced pests such as the Giant East African snail pose a real threat to degradation of existing habitat by native snail populations. Photo: Yuri Yashin, achatina.ru, Bugwood.org weed invasion. " Hawaii is continuing to introduce " ! - other snails are thriving. In Hawaii new exotic snails and slugs. They tralian survey was conducted? exotic snails are rampant, with found a total of 31 terrestrial spe- Cowie RH, Hayes KA, Tran CT, Mey- 38 species established so far. A cies on plants for sale, all but two er WM, III. (2008). The horticultural recent survey of nurseries, botanic + industry as a vector of alien snails gardens and similar facilities by been previously recorded. Each and slugs: widespread invasions in R.H. Cowie and colleagues found facility had 1-17 exotic snail spe- Hawaii. International Journal of Pest that the horticultural industry in cies present. Management 54(4): 267-276.
Weeds centre lands $2.5 million for research = the Federal Gov- # - Weeds CRC Rachel McFadyen re- ernment announced $2.5 million sion on biodiversity (University of cently pointed out on ABC Radio, for 28 weeds research projects Woollongong, $155,000). the new centre doesn’t yet have a funded through the new Australian # ` - full-time CEO. Weeds Research Centre. bicides in a genetically modi- Much has been lost with the % ;$ demise of the CRC – a cohesive # ' " " " " $140,000). approach, input to public policy, of cabomba and alligator weed Although it’s a relief to have a good educational material, and (CSIRO, $241,000). national research focus on weeds a public voice – that has not yet # " - – after the former federal govern- been replaced. ity potential biocontrol agents of ment failed to renew funding for Parkinsonia aculeata (CSIRO the Weeds CRC in October 2007 More information: http://www.maff. entomology, $189,000). – the new research centre is a gov.au/media/media_releas # " " " shadow of the CRC it replaces. es/2009/january/$2.5_million_for_ (CSIRO, $165,000). As the former CEO of the weeds_research_projects)
Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 15 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions
5.'7:;!. '!, Q<(= >,7 7:;R continued from page 5 crop in monoculture you will notice very quickly the Two jatropha companies were represented at the presence of several pests and diseases”. Major pests meeting, but one of these, Plantation Curcas, ap- include beetles, miners, mildew, termites and mites. pears to no longer exist, judging by a fruitless internet Back in 2000, Keith Openshaw of Alternative Ener- search. The other, D1-BP Fuel Crops Ltd, remains ac- gy Development was claiming in the journal Biomass tive in Africa and Asia. D1 Oils, the partner in the D1- and Bioenergy that the jatropha plant has few insect BP joint venture with expertise in jatropha, has fared or fungal pests. " <==> " In 2007, when we wrote our report, a Google to sell its processing plant in England, and recording search on “jatropha” + “miracle” brought up countless " ! # " - enthusiastic articles, all but promising that jatropha man, Lord Oxburgh, a passionate jatropha advocate, would solve climate change and Third World poverty. has departed along with the company’s former CEO. Such sites still exist, but the same search today Conservationists are often criticised as naysayers brings up any number of articles with titles such as wanting to block development, but in this case we “Miracle solution or imminent disaster?” and “Miracle believe we not only helped avert a weed problem, plant’s monstrous potential”. but also saved investors from losing money and A desire to believe in miracles, or in simple solu- governments from pouring resources into doomed tions for complex problems, seems to run very deep, operations. The D1-BP representative at the Brisbane and jatropha is just the latest example of naïve meeting was honest enough to admit on the day that dreaming overruling common sense. he was unsure if jatropha was viable in Australia. The risk for Australia was that vast acreages could Jatropha almost certainly has some role to play in have been planted but never harvested, resulting poor Third World countries where seeds can be gath- in seeds left to drop and germinate freely, spawn- ered by hand to provide a locally produced substitute ing weedy populations. This is now likely to occur in for diesel. But whether it can become a revenue-earn- many countries where jatropha was planted. Reports ing crop in Africa and Asia remains to be seen. of abandoned plantings are emerging from many As is often the case with boom-bust industries, the places. Yet major plantings continue. " " A pivotal event for jatropha in Australia was a to farmers wanting to grow jatropha, not to biodiesel workshop on the weed status of the plant run by the producers, creating unrealistic expectations about market value. Deer farming and emu farming followed > { ; ! ; the same trajectory, with farmers entering the industry “ in simple solutions for complex prob- paying much higher prices for stock than the market ; ! ; ! | could sustain. is just the latest example of naïve dreaming In his presentation to the African Biofuels confer- ence Volckert cited a survey of 615 jatropha projects overruling common sense. that found 90 per cent were in a bad condition. One can only feel sorry for all the farmers duped by the Queensland Government on 6 December 2007 (see hype and who have lost out by growing this plant. Feral Herald 17). The Weeds CRC’s Rachel Mc- Fadyen and I spoke out strongly about the weed risk Further Reading posed by jatropha, and government agencies spoke http://www.invasives.org.au/biofuels.html about jatropha weed declarations in Western Australia http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2009/03/24/ and the Northern Territory. Jatropha growers were the-blunder-crop-a-biofuels-digest-special-report-on- wanting to establish plantations in northern Australia, jatropha-biofuels-development/ but were stymied by the WA and NT bans, which http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/ resulted in a federal government ban on the introduc- idAFJOE5300DN20090401?sp=true tion of new seed varieties. http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2009/04/02/d1-oils- By the end of the day it was clear that governments plant-science-manager-says-j-root-planting-problem- were not going to move quickly to lift weed bans cause-low-jatropha-yields/ given ongoing concerns about the weed risk. Interest http://www.invasives.org.au/downloads/feralherald17. in growing jatropha in Australia has since dwindled. pdf
Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 16 Invasive Species Council Working to Stop Further Invasions States could lose quarantine power . . R 0 # 0 ) ' ( ) In our last newsletter we com- targeted measures to reduce risk mendations ISC can endorse. mented favourably on the inde- from imports, and more integrated Biosecurity Australia should never pendent review of Australia’s quar- post-border monitoring, surveil- have been created as an agency antine arrangements published in lance and response.” separate from the Australian Quar- September 2008. One Biosecurity: This proposed change in ap- antine and Inspection Service, and A Working Partnership advocates proach is summarised as a shift the review, as expected, recom- much greater spending on quar- from “no, unless…” to “yes, pro- mends their merger. antine and a stronger focus on vided…” It also recommends cost recov- environmental pests. The pro-trade emphasis is But ISC is disappointed by behind their recommendation from biosecurity, warning (page some aspects of this report. that the Commonwealth have the 69) about the “moral hazard” cre- A concern of pest experts the legislative power to override state ated when governments compen- world over is the obligation placed quarantine legislation. The report sate industries responsible for on World Trade Organisation focuses on the famous complaint quarantine lapses: members to adopt the “least trade brought by Canada to the WTO “The panel notes that some restrictive” quarantine policies. alleging that Australia’s ban on industries, such as some vegeta- Australia is constantly under pres- salmon meat was a disguised ble industries and the plantation sure to justify its high quarantine trade barrier because Australia timber industry, have not entered standards, the accusation being was behaving inconsistently by al- into cost sharing deeds or agree- that they are disguised trade bar- " [ ments despite holding member- riers. a much higher disease risk to ship with Animal Health Australia Anyone who cares about pests ! " # or Plant Health Australia. When no should be concerned by this. One Australia could have responded formal agreement exists to de- might think that the goal of any bi- by improving its quarantine pro- termine how costs will be shared osecurity system would be to keep " [ in the event of an exotic pest or out pests. But the review panel chose instead to allow in the disease outbreak, there is reduced in expressing their commitment salmon meat. Tasmania then used incentive for businesses to adopt to expanded trade liberalisation, its state quarantine laws to ban good biosecurity practices. This decided differently (page XVII): salmon meat imports, resulting in is particularly relevant if govern- “The panel has concluded a further complaint from Canada ments still eradicate the pest or that the primary objective of the to the WTO. disease and pay compensation to national biosecurity system should Given the lack of action on those affected, such as occurred be to allow the safe movement of [ " [ \ #P animals and plants, genetic mate- meat did look like little more than The strong focus in the report rial, animal and plant products, a disguised trade barrier. But the on cost recovery is to be com- people and cargo to and from Aus- recommendation of this review mended. However, it only applies tralia, and to support an effective that states should lose their rights to pests that harm the importing response to any pest or disease to impose quarantine will not im- industries. The horticulture in- incursions that occur. This in- prove quarantine in Australia. dustry is expected to pay for the volves a change of emphasis from Western Australia and Tasmania eradication of pests that harm a principal focus on the preven- operate their own quarantine serv- horticulture, but not to pay for the tion of harmful pests and diseases ices, and the WA system oper- removal of horticultural imports entering Australia, through limita- ates well. Trade should be judged that become pests of farms and tions on trade and interception at according to its advantages and national parks. the border, towards more effective disadvantages, not endorsed as The Australian Government has pre-border risk assessment, a still an inherent public good. agreed in principal to adopt the vigilant border inspection system, The report has other recom- panel’s recommendations.
Feral Herald Issue 21, April 2009 Page 17 Australia, a continent under threat Australia has the worst animal extinction record in the world, due mainly to invasive species. With fire ants turning up in Brisbane, foxes in Tasmania, ongoing weed and disease spread, it could get worse. Australia needs a strong community voice to stop that happening. The Invasive Species Council is the main conservation group pressuring governments to do more about weeds, pests and wildlife diseases. Help make us stronger. With your membership we can do more.
– Tim Low, a founder of the Invasive Species Tim Low on Australia’s Macquarie Island, a Council World Heritage site now overrun by rabbits. Invasive Species Council membership application form Yes, I want to help protect Australia’s native plants and animals from weed, pest and disease invasions.
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