ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF TOXIN USE FOR MAMMALIAN PEST CONTROL IN NEW ZEALAND — AN OVERVIEW

摘要: Toxins, especially sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) and brodifacoum, are widely used throughout New Zealand for control of introduced mammals that considered pests. This level toxin use (not necessarily with these toxins) is unlikely to decline at least 5–10 years. Ecological consequences derive both from mammal population reduction or eradication, using toxins as the method. Scientists have not examined net ecological outcomes community due their daunting complexity, although managers usually manipulate whole communities key conservation legislation demands they do so. A food web could be a useful conceptual framework generate hypotheses about movement through communities, explore pest level. It also sharpen objectives ecosystem restoration on mainland, help find common ground between different participants in management. We interpret present evidence suggest costs much less than damage if used, magnitude known impacts mammals. suggestion deserves exploration; it may true when persistent such brodifacoum repeatedly. Research should continue its broad front, but we priorities measure level, reduce use, improve strategies techniques maintenance phase operations. Finally, an annual management conference Zealand, which explicitly brings together managers, policymakers, landowners, scientists many disciplines now relevant complex field control, would enhance progress co-operation. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________