Philip's posting raises some fundamental issues about gene
selection and mixing which I scarcely understand but are
obviously of concern to much more knowledgeable people.
For a start the IUCN has put the Pacific Black Duck, of all
species, on the potentially endangered list because of the
impact of introduced Mallards, leading to hybrids. And one of
the major concerns about weeds is that there may be sleepers
that will erupt under changed conditions.
On the other hand, I come from England where the common Rabbit
and Brown and Black Rats were introduced 1,000 years ago. And I
still love it - and believe that land and hedge clearances,
stream bank cleansing and agricultural chemicals are far greater
threats. Much of the fauna survived until the agri-chemico
complex took sway.
Michael Norris
Birding-Aus is on the Web at
www.shc.melb.catholic.edu.au/home/birding/index.html
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