Population dynamics of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in north eastern Australia: simulated responses to control
Article
Article Title | Population dynamics of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in north eastern Australia: simulated responses to control |
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ERA Journal ID | 3233 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Scanlan, J. C. (Author), Berman, D. M. (Author) and Grant, W. E. (Author) |
Journal Title | Ecological Modelling |
Journal Citation | 196 (1-2), pp. 221-236 |
Number of Pages | 16 |
Year | 2006 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Place of Publication | Netherlands |
ISSN | 0304-3800 |
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. |
Keywords | biological control, climate change, Myxomatosis, rabbit haemorrhagic disease, warren destruction |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 410407. Wildlife and habitat management |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland |
Texas A&M University, United States | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q4vx6/population-dynamics-of-the-european-rabbit-oryctolagus-cuniculus-in-north-eastern-australia-simulated-responses-to-control
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