Spotted dove eradication [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

["Whitworth, Benjamin - BRS" <>]

 

It is very important that COG makes a stronger advocacy move very soon over the spotted dove. The committee could do this through the biodiversity working group and Conservation council and to the ACT government and ministers. Although I haven’t been following the Australian pest issue recently, some interesting research that I am aware of from a few years ago, that are basically reviews, all pretty much showed that pest and weed eradication is only possible when population numbers are low and the area is small. This species is clearly showing an exponential increase, and I reckon within 2 years the cost-benefit ratio will be too high for eradication and in any case it will just be impossible to eradicate, so we will just have to manage and control. A quick search of publications and websites that I am aware of are provided below. Mary’s article is pretty interesting because the spotted dove definitely fits her criteria for being a pest species (obviously) and also at this point in time, potentially could fit most of the criteria for possible eradication. This will soon not be the case.

 

I have also provided links to other relevant research sites that provide more information, but I am not across them.  

Benj Whitworth

 

David C. Cunningham, Gemma Woldendorp,  Melissa B. Burgess and Simon C. Barry  (2003) Prioritising sleeper weeds for eradication- Selection of species based on potential impacts on agriculture and feasibility of eradication, BRS, Canberra

“In this study, we found that the most significant factors influencing the likelihood of successful eradication are area, number of infestations, ease of access and propagule longevity.” (pg 4)

 

David Cunningham and Leanne Brown  (2006) Some priority agricultural sleeper weeds for eradication. BRS. Canberra.

 

Mary Bomford (2003) RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE IMPORT AND KEEPING OF EXOTIC VERTEBRATES IN AUSTRALIA, Bureau of Rural Sciences, Canberra, Australia

“The timing of an eradication attempt in relation to establishment will also influence the probability of eradication being achieved. The sooner eradication is attempted after establishment, the higher the chance of success. Some eradication attempts have been successful on continents where the attempt was made on a newly established exotic species, when numbers were still low and the population was restricted to a small area” (pg 11). http://www.feral.org.au/feral_documents/PC12803.pdf

 

Also see http://www.feral.org.au/content/policy/risk.cfm

 

Other BRS reports can be found at- http://affashop.gov.au/browseshop.asp ie

Quentin Hart, Dr Steve McLeod, Dr Chris Hardy (2005) Managing Australia’s pest animal problems, BRS seminar. Canberra.

G. Woldendorp & M. Bomford  (2004) Weed eradication: strategies, timeframes & costs. BRS, Canberra. “Eradication is an achievable goal if the size of the infestation is small.”

 

Also see Invasive animal CRC website- http://www.invasiveanimals.com/

Eg Workshop Proceedings: Risk assessment processes for import and keeping of exotic vertebrates in Australia Canberra, February 2009 http://www.invasiveanimals.com/publications/downloads/FINAL-RA-workshop-report-May-2009.pdf

 

Also see the Weeds CRC website. http://www.weedscrc.org.au/index_flash.html

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