A key challenge for Australia is managing the devastating impacts that invasive alien species - including pests, weeds and diseases - inflict on our economy, environment, health and way of life. We deliver research-based solutions to reduce the impact they pose to Australia’s industries, biodiversity, ecosystem services and urban environments.
We research new biological control options to provide sustainable continental scale management for some of Australia’s major weed and feral pest animal problems.
CSIRO researchers are leading the way in understanding the ecology, impacts and control of the invasive European carp in Australia.
European carp is a introduced species that adversely affects the health of our river and wetlands in all Australian states except the Northern Territory. Explore how CSIRO are working to curb carp numbers.
Explore the Australian Government's National Carp Control Plan.
CSIRO researchers are leading the way in understanding the ecology, impacts and control of invasive alien ant species.
We’re leading new research in mouse ecology, biology and management to provide Australia’s agricultural industries with better solutions to reduce the impacts of mice.
We are continuing research to find new strategies that will help maintain benefits of biocontrol of rabbits in the future.
CSIRO currently leads and participates in a series of collaborative projects run through the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) investigating how the different caliciviruses in Australia can be applied in a more strategic manner to maximise the outcome of rabbit biocontrol operations and further reduce rabbit impacts to agriculture and environment.
Explore our rabbit calicivirus website.
Weeds pose a serious threat to Australia’s biodiversity, agriculture and, human health and well-being. To effectively manage weeds and reduce their impact, our scientists undertake research that underpins biological control (biocontrol) programs for the most problematic weeds.
CSIRO has many active biocontrol projects underway for both temperate and tropical weeds of importance to Australia.
CSIRO has been working on the biological control of weeds since the 1920s. We focus on temperate and tropical weeds of natural, agricultural and rangeland ecosystems.
In 2014 our researchers released French and Spanish spring-active Onthophagus vacca and Bubus bubalus dung beetles in Australia's latest effort to improve dung burial. Burying dung improves pasture productivity, sequesters carbon and controls buffalo and bush flies.