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Predator control promotes invasive dominated ecological states
Citation
Wallach, AD and Johnson, CN and Ritchie, EG and O'Neill, AJ, Predator control promotes invasive dominated ecological states , Ecology Letters, 13, (8) pp. 1008-1018. ISSN 1461-023X (2010) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd/CNRS The definitive published version is available online at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/
DOI: doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01492.x
Abstract
Invasive species are regarded as one of the top five drivers of the global extinction crisis.
In response, extreme measures have been applied in an attempt to control or eradicate
invasives, with little success overall. We tested the idea that state shifts to invasive
dominance are symptomatic of losses in ecosystem resilience, due to the suppression of
apex predators. This concept was investigated in Australia where the high rate of
mammalian extinctions is largely attributed to the destructive influence of invasive
species. Intensive pest control is widely applied across the continent, simultaneously
eliminating AustraliaŐs apex predator, the dingo (Canis lupus dingo). We show that predator
management accounts for shifts between two main ecosystem states. Lethal control
fractures dingo social structure and leads to bottom-up driven increases in invasive
mesopredators and herbivores. Where control is relaxed, dingoes re-establish top–down
regulation of ecosystems, allowing for the recovery of biodiversity and productivity.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
Research Group: | Ecology |
Research Field: | Community ecology (excl. invasive species ecology) |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Terrestrial systems and management |
Objective Field: | Terrestrial biodiversity |
UTAS Author: | Johnson, CN (Professor Christopher Johnson) |
ID Code: | 72275 |
Year Published: | 2010 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 127 |
Deposited By: | Zoology |
Deposited On: | 2011-08-24 |
Last Modified: | 2012-03-06 |
Downloads: | 6 View Download Statistics |
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