3.4 Eradication as an option for managing invasive tree species in protected areas

摘要: Introduced tree species used in commercial and ornamental forestry may represent a threat when they spread in natural habitats where they can affect ecosystem functions (Richardson 1998). Therefore, it is fundamental to assess the impact of introduced tree species have on biodiversity of protected areas; it is important to carefully identify conservation goals and prioritise the strategies to manage the species as well as rank the species considering their potential impact and the feasibility of their control. Addressing the impact of introduced tree species that exhibit invasive behaviour is particularly important (DAISIE 2009) as invasive tree species may threaten endemic and native species through competition and interspecific hybridisation (Cox 2009).The effects of removal of introduced tree species on the native re-vegetation is rarely assessed (Kettenring and Adams 2011). However, such management approaches should be properly monitored in order to evaluate the recovery of native populations and the costs involved, and to eventually establish complementary conservation measures (Genovesi and Shine 2004). Unfortunately, eradication projects are mainly published as technical reports, thus with limited dissemination and replication.