Myna birds are everywhere in Australia, and rabbit numbers are surging. Foxes and feral cats kill our chooks and native animals unchecked.
But what makes an introduced species “good” or “bad”?
This week, we’ve explored these questions with a new series on our complicated relationship with introduced species, from the mysterious release of a fungus aimed at blackberries to how yabbies are wreaking havoc in southern African rivers.
Despite our tight biosecurity measures and island geographies, introduced species do more damage in Australia and New Zealand than anywhere else. Millions of years of isolation protected our unique native species – but left them vulnerable to new predators and competitors, as evolutionary biologist Mike Lee writes.
No species is intrinsically evil. But we label animals and plants “good” or “bad” based on how they affect our interests, argues historian Nancy Cushing.
Some invasive species were brought here to eat pests, carry heavy loads or provide sport. But when they stop serving these purposes, we’re inclined to turn on them.
