Population dynamics of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in north eastern Australia: simulated responses to control

Article

Scanlan, J. C., Berman, D. M. and Grant, W. E.. 2006. "Population dynamics of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in north eastern Australia: simulated responses to control." Ecological Modelling. 196 (1-2), pp. 221-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2006.02.008
Article Title

Population dynamics of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in north eastern Australia: simulated responses to control

ERA Journal ID3233
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsScanlan, J. C. (Author), Berman, D. M. (Author) and Grant, W. E. (Author)
Journal TitleEcological Modelling
Journal Citation196 (1-2), pp. 221-236
Number of Pages16
Year2006
PublisherElsevier
Place of PublicationNetherlands
ISSN0304-3800
1872-7026
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2006.02.008
Web Address (URL)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304380006000615?via%3Dihub
Abstract

Wild European rabbits are a serious problem to agriculture in Australia, with an estimated annual cost of A$ 113 million. Biological control agents (myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus) have caused large and sustained declines in rabbit populations throughout Australia. A simulation model incorporates these diseases as well as warren destruction as methods of controlling rabbit populations in Queensland, north eastern Aus- tralia. These diseases reduced populations by 90–99% and the combination of these and warren destruction led to 100% control in simulations at six sites across southern Queens- land. Increasing monthly pasture growth by 15% had little effect on simulated populations whereas a 15% decrease reduced populations by 0–50%. An increase in temperature of 2.5◦C would lead to a 15–60% decrease in populations. These effects suggest that climate change will lead to a decrease in the population of rabbits in Queensland and a retraction in the northern limit of their distribution in Australia.

Keywordsbiological control, climate change, Myxomatosis, rabbit haemorrhagic disease, warren destruction
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020410407. Wildlife and habitat management
Public Notes

Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions.

Byline AffiliationsDepartment of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland
Texas A&M University, United States
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q4vx6/population-dynamics-of-the-european-rabbit-oryctolagus-cuniculus-in-north-eastern-australia-simulated-responses-to-control

Log in to edit
  • 426
    total views
  • 7
    total downloads
  • 0
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Use of density-impact functions to inform and improve the environmental outcomes of feral horse management
Berman, David McKenzie, Pickering, Jill, Smith, Deane and Allen, Benjamin L.. 2023. "Use of density-impact functions to inform and improve the environmental outcomes of feral horse management." Wildlife Biology. 2023 (5). https://doi.org/10.1002/wlb3.01107
Changes in small native animal populations following control of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) by warren ripping in the Australian arid zone
Elsworth, P., Berman, D. and Brennan, M.. 2019. "Changes in small native animal populations following control of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) by warren ripping in the Australian arid zone." Wildlife Research. 46 (4), pp. 343-354. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR18088
Should the 40-year-old practice of releasing virulent myxoma virus to control rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) be continued?
Berman, D., Kerr, P. J., Stagg, R., van Leeuwen, B. H. and Gonzalez, T.. 2006. "Should the 40-year-old practice of releasing virulent myxoma virus to control rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) be continued?" Wildlife Research. 33 (7), pp. 549-556. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR05004
Efficacy of a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for estimating prevalence of immunity to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in populations of Australian wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
McPhee, S. R., Berman, D., Gonzales, A., Butler, K. L., Humphrey, J., Muller, J., Waddington, J. N., Koch, S., Daniels, P. and Marks, C. A.. 2002. "Efficacy of a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) for estimating prevalence of immunity to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in populations of Australian wild rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)." Wildlife Research. 29 (6), pp. 635-647. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR00114
The impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease on wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations in Queensland
Story, G., Berman, D., Palmer, R. and Scanlan, J.. 2004. "The impact of rabbit haemorrhagic disease on wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) populations in Queensland." Wildlife Research. 31 (2), pp. 183-193. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR00099
Population trends in European rabbits and other wildlife of central Australia in the wake of rabbit hemorrhagic disease
Edwards, G. P., Dobbie, W. and Berman, D.McK.. 2002. "Population trends in European rabbits and other wildlife of central Australia in the wake of rabbit hemorrhagic disease." Wildlife Research. 29 (6), pp. 557-565. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR00097
Warren ripping: its impacts on European rabbits and other wildlife of central Australia amid the establishment of rabbit haemorrhagic disease
Edwards, G. P., Dobbie, W. and Berman, D. McK.. 2002. "Warren ripping: its impacts on European rabbits and other wildlife of central Australia amid the establishment of rabbit haemorrhagic disease." Wildlife Research. 29 (6), pp. 567-575. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR00098
Movement patterns of female feral camels in central and northern Australia
Edwards, Glenn P., Eldridge, Stephen R., Wurst, David, Berman, David M. and Garbin, Vanessa. 2001. "Movement patterns of female feral camels in central and northern Australia." Wildlife Research. 28 (3), pp. 283-289. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR00053
Predictive modelling to aid the regional-scale management of a vertebrate pest
Murray, Justine V., Berman, David McK. and van Klinken, Rieks D.. 2014. "Predictive modelling to aid the regional-scale management of a vertebrate pest." Biological Invasions. 16 (11), pp. 2403-2425. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-014-0673-6
The climate change risk management matrix for the grazing industry of northern Australia
Cobon, David H., Stone, Grant S., Carter, John O., Scanlan, Joe C., Toombs, Nathan R., Zhang, Xike, Willcocks, Jacqui and McKeon, Greg M.. 2009. "The climate change risk management matrix for the grazing industry of northern Australia." The Rangeland Journal. 31 (1), pp. 31-49. https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ08069
Interaction Of myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease in wild rabbit
Fulford, G. R., Lee, X. J., Berman, D. and Hamilton, G.. 2011. "Interaction Of myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease in wild rabbit." 19th International Congress on Modelling and Simulation (MODSIM2011). Perth, Australia 12 - 16 Dec 2011 New Zealand. Modelling and Simulation Society of Australia and New Zealand . https://doi.org/10.36334/modsim.2011.B2.fulford