Since European settlement, Australia's native plants and animals have had to
compete with a range of introduced species. Those impacting on Australia's rangeland and savanna regions present particular environmental challenges, which CSIRO is addressing.
Overview
Many introduced species have thrived in the Australian environment causing a major impact on ecosystems, transforming ecological processes and threatening native species through predation and habitat changes.
In the relatively intact ecosystems of central and northern Australia, various complexities and sensitivities combine to significantly extend the challenges faced in controlling invasive species and their impact on the environment including:
Research expertise
Invasive plants and animals (including invertebrates) rate along side habitat loss as one of the most significant threats to biodiversity in Australia.
CSIRO has a long history of research on methods of control and management of invasive species.
Our scientists have been instrumental in developing methods to control invasive species such as:
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rabbits
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foxes
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pigs
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salvinia
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mimosa
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pest ants
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termites.
There is now widespread recognition of the continuing need to:
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develop a coordinated and strategic approach to preventing significant new invasive species becoming established in the Australian environment
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reduce the impacts of major pests and weeds already present.
CSIRO currently has significant resources and expertise targeting invasive species in the rangeland and savanna regions of northern and central Australia.
Our scientists are undertaking a range of research covering both invasive plants and animal pests with particular emphasis on exotic ant species impacting on northern Australia.
We have researchers based at key locations within rangeland and tropical savanna environments including:
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Alice Springs
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Darwin
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Townsville.
Invasive plants
CSIRO is currently researching the ecology and management of several invasive plant species in rangeland and savanna environments.
Invasive plants that are being addressed specifically in Australia's arid and tropical savanna regions include:
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Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) - an introduced pasture grass in the arid and semi-arid rangelands that has also become a major environmental weed
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Para grass (Brachiaria mutica) - a pasture grass that has dispersed beyond its intended boundaries particularly affecting wetlands
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Olive hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis) - a listed Weed of National Significance impacting the biodiversity and functioning of northern Australian wetlands
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Parkinsonia (Parkinsonia aculeata) - an invasive shrub also a listed Weed of National Significance
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Prickly acacia (Acacia nilotica) - an invasive shrub invading the Mitchell grasslands of Queensland and an invasive shrub and a Weed of National Significance.
CSIRO is investigating diverse strategies to manage these plants looking at fire responses, ecological factors as well as documenting the coverage and spread rates to help with response strategies.
Pest ants
Pest ants in northern Australia are a significant threat to biodiversity, agricultural production, and are major pests in households. CSIRO is researching the eradication of:
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Big Headed Ant (Pheidole megacephala)
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Yellow Crazy Ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes)
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Singapore Ant (Monomorium destructor)
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Tropical Fire Ant (Solenopsis geminata).
Most research is conducted on remote Indigenous lands in collaboration with Aboriginal people living in affected areas such as in Arnhem Land, the Daly River region and Melville and the Tiwi Islands.
By developing a clear understanding of their ecology and their response to human and natural events such as fire, we are able to develop and implement better tools and management strategies for control or eradication of pest ant species.
Research outcomes
Outcomes of our research include:
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a greater understanding of the distribution of invasive species throughout the rangelands and savannas, both on a local and regional level
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principles for targeting critical infestations so that the limited resources available for pest management are used more effectively and efficiently
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improved prediction of where, and under what circumstances, invasions could occur
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more effective control methods and options.
Learn more about Regional futures in the rangelands and savannas.
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