The development of target-specific vertebrate pest management tools for complex faunal communities
2008
Bengsen, Andrew | Leung, L. K.-P. (Luke K.-P) | Lapidge, Steven J. | Gordon, I. J. (Iain J)
The efficacy of vertebrate pest control in complex faunal communities can be compromised by adverse impacts on non-target species. We present a five-step framework to guide the design of pest control programmes to overcome this constraint. The model consists of: (i) selection of the most appropriate basis for control; (ii) identification of opportunities to prevent non-target species from interacting with control activities; (iii) classification of non-target species by dissimilarity to the target pest; (iv) use of a recognition systems approach to identify further differences between pests and non-target species; and (v) experimental evaluation of prototype control methodologies. Application of the framework to the problem of feral Pig (Sus scrofa) control in the tropical forests of the Daintree region in north Queensland identified six design features which, if successfully evaluated and implemented, could allow the implementation of strategic, sustained Pig control using poison baits where it has previously been unacceptable.
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