IMIInvasive mammal impacts

on biodiversity

History

Multi-Species DynamicsWendy Ruscoe

2005 – 2009

Spatial Ecology & ModellingAndrea Byrom

2005 – 2009

Multi-Species Pest ControlBruce Warburton

Invasive Mammal ImpactsRoger Pech & Andrea Byrom

6 years: 2009 – 2015

$1.3M pa (less GST)

Control of Small Mammal PestsBruce Warburton

Species-Specific ToxinsBrian Hopkins

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IMI research: 4 ‘strands’

1. Forests

4. Theory3. Global change

2. Drylands

Pen Holland

Wendy Ruscoe

Graeme Elliott

Andrea Byrom

Grant NorburyMandy Barron

Ferret Cat Stoat

Climate

Pasture/Seed/Fruit

Possum

Native lizards

Native invertebrates

Rabbit

Hare

Rat

Mouse

Hedgehog

Top-level predators

Herbivores Mesopredators Insectivore

Drylandfood web

Impacts

FerretsStoats & Weasels

Possums Mice Lizards HedgehogRabbits

Pasture seed

Shrub seed

Tussock seed

Invertebrates

Pasture Shrub Tussock

TemperatureRainfallSunlight hours?Evapotranspiration?

DanRogerAndreaGrantJames

Sheep

Cats

3

2

4

1

11

125

8

6

7

9

10

32

31

33 35

34

28

29

30

22

23

24

2526 27

18

19

1716

21

15

20

13

14

40

42

41

38

39

3637

RHD?

Using models to drive research ...

FerretsStoats & Weasels

Possums Mice Lizards HedgehogRabbits

Pasture seed

Shrub seed

Tussock seed

Invertebrates

Pasture Shrub Tussock

TemperatureRainfallSunlight hours?Evapotranspiration?

DanRogerAndreaGrantJames

Sheep

Cats

3

2

4

1

11

125

8

6

7

9

10

32

31

33 35

34

28

29

30

22

23

24

2526 27

18

19

1716

21

15

20

13

14

40

42

41

38

39

3637

RHD?

Using models to predict...

FerretsStoats & Weasels

Possums Mice Lizards HedgehogRabbits

Pasture seed

Shrub seed

Tussock seed

Invertebrates

Pasture Shrub Tussock

TemperatureRainfallSunlight hours?Evapotranspiration?

DanRogerAndreaGrantJames

Sheep

Cats

3

2

4

1

11

125

8

6

7

9

10

32

31

33 35

34

28

29

30

22

23

24

2526 27

18

19

1716

21

15

20

13

14

40

42

41

38

39

3637

RHD?

Using models to predict...

Short-term removal of nearby pest animals

Site-based pest control in a landscape

Area with pest control

Area with effective pest reduction

Re-invasion by pests

Site-based conservation in a landscape

Area with pest control

Area with biodiversity benefits

?

?

Site-based conservation in a landscape

Area with pest control

Area with biodiversity benefits

Dispersal, re-colonisation & gene flow

?

?

From single sites to future networks: ‘metapopulation models’

Harrison & Taylor (1997)

a. ‘Classic’ (Levin)

b. Mainland – island

c. Patch population

d. Non-equilibrium metapopulation

e. combination of a - d

Creating a conservation networkS

urvi

val r

ate

of t

hrea

tene

d sp

ecie

s

core edge core edgeedge

Site-based pest management

Site-based pest management

Creating a conservation networkS

urvi

val r

ate

of t

hrea

tene

d sp

ecie

s

core edge core edgeedge

Site-based pest management

Site-based pest management

Connect sites with some pest control

timed to match optimal conditions

Network management

1. Focus on the impacts of invasive mammals

W. Green Optimising biodiversity protection inWellington’s Forest Parks

Research summary

1. Focus on the impacts of invasive mammals

2. Ecosystems: forests, drylands, braided rivers, alpine areas

Research summary

1. Focus on the impacts of invasive mammals

2. Ecosystems: forests, drylands, braided rivers, alpine areas

3. Research to link sites across landscapes

Research summary

Making a difference …

• Close collaboration with agencies (DOC, regional councils, private groups) via ‘management experiments’

• Emphasis on publications

• Students: next generation scientistsRebecca Lawrence: rat behaviour & risk of predationHannah Windley: plant defence & possum browseTom Etherington: landscape connectivity & pest riskMaggie Triska: restoration ecologyLiz Rayner: rabbit dietNEW STUDENT: braided river ecosystems

(?) Eru Nathan: pest animal behaviour

• New technology for providing information