Since European settlement, invasive species have contributed to the confirmed extinctions of 79 Australian species. More recently, invasive species have been the dominant driver in nearly all extinctions since the 1960s.
On top of the devastating environmental toll, pests and weeds have had a major economic impact. Since the 1960s they have cost Australia $390 billion with the annual cost estimated at $25 billion and growing.
The Centre’s tools and engagement programs have reduced the impacts of established pests and the risks from new and emerging pests. We are behind the development of new control tools — like the first new Australian rabbit biocontrol agent released in 20 years — and are helping to take forward new 21st Century solutions like genetic biocontrol.
This end of financial year, we’re calling for financial support to aid the development of our new app: WeedScan.
AI smarts are coming for Australia’s priority weeds and you can help as we add even more weed species and new group functions to help Landcare, Bushcare and other groups manage our special spaces and places.
Environment
Tomorrow’s weeds are already here
There are already 5,900 non-native plant species in Australia — like this Cat’s claw creeper — that have track records as weeds overseas and are likely to naturalise in Australia given the right conditions.
Weeds have been causing havoc in farmlands, rivers, and coastlines for decades. Australia already has more than 2,700 established weed species and the list grows by about 20 new species each year. That is one new weed every 18 days! These destructive weeds force out native species, altering delicately balanced vegetation communities.
Please help protect our environment from weeds.
Threatened Species
Wildlife needs protection
Invasive species have been the major dominant driver in nearly all native species extinctions since the 1960s, and have contributed to the confirmed extinctions of 79 Australian species since European settlement.
Feral cats and red foxes have killed off at least 25 native mammal species across central and southern Australia.
Today more than 1,250 — that’s eight in 10 — of Australia’s land-based threatened species are imperilled by invasive species, including the Western Ground Parrot.
Your support for the Invasive Species Solutions Trust will help protect our threatened species.
Primary Production
Invasive species are impacting primary production
Weeds cost primary producers at least $5 billion a year and managing pest animals — like rabbits, pigs and wild dogs — costs them millions more.
European rabbits infest two-thirds of Australia and on average cost $216 million a year in lost farm productivity.
Feral pigs inhabit 45% of Australia and cost up to $106 million per year in crop damage and control measures.
Wild dog attacks on livestock conservatively cost Australia $89 million a year in lost production and control costs.
You can help us find solutions to predatory attacks on farm animals, over-grazing by feral animals, and the loss of arable land from weed infestations.