History of Australian plant and vertebrate pests: introductions and impacts

Australia has a long history of exotic species’ introductions, naturalisation and spread, and facilitated range expansions of native species. Together with broadscale landscape modification, this has resulted in an unprecedented number of pest species across a broad range of taxonomic groups (e.g. vertebrate and invertebrate animals, plants, algae and fungi), with impacts on native species, biodiversity, ecosystem function, the economy, and human health. Overgrazing and browsing by introduced herbivores contributes to land degradation. Grazing, predation, and competition by exotic vertebrates threaten many endangered species and communities. Feral predators (i.e. Feral Cat Felis catus and European Red Fox Vulpes vulpes) are implicated as key contributors to Australia’s endemic mammal extinctions. Weeds affect the structure and function of many ecosystems, displace native plant and animal species, harbour pests and diseases, and alter fire regimes. In this paper, we review the history of Australia’s pest animals (vertebrates) and weeds, including the reasons for introductions, factors leading to both exotic and native species being pests, and the consequences for Australia’s environment and biodiversity.