INVASIVE SPECIES
The European Red Fox was introduced in the mid-
Australia is a beautiful place to explore! From pristine
beaches to vast desserts, you are sure to enjoy
yourself in our country!
However, weeds, pests and diseases are major threats
to Australia’s native plants and animals.
While we have a strong mindset of ‘treading lightly,’
many of us don’t realise that we are unknowingly
spreading weeds and diseases that can kill wildlife,
contaminate our water or destroy natural habitats.
FERALS
Along with invasive diseases and weeds, come invasive
pests.
European Wild Rabbit
Rabbits were introduced from the First Fleet and are
now one of the most common and widespread mammals
in Australia. Rabbits cause severe damage to our
environment by competing with native wildlife,
damaging vegetation and degrading the land.
Additionally, they have caused extinctions of some
animals and have contributed to the decline in many
native plants. Controlling methods are difficult as they
may affect other native predators which eat
rabbits. The most common controls used
are exposing them to diseases which only
affects rabbits or using toxins to kill rabbits
while they are in their burrows (Department
of the Environment and Energy, 2019).
Feral European Red Fox
1800s for recreational hunting, however, they have now
spread across most of Australia and are providing
danger to a number of native animals and particularly
lambs. Controlling the number of foxes relies heavily on
techniques such as shooting, poisoning and fencing
(Department of the Environment and Energy, 2019).
WEEDS
Arrive Clean,
Leave Clean
A weed is a plant that requires some form of action
to reduce its impact on the economy, environment
and human health. Weeds compete with native
plants for space, nutrients and sunlight, which has a
negative effect on animals that require specific
plants for survival. Many plants that were
introduced to Australia in the past 200 years are
now weeds. Weeds produce a large amount of
seeds, which contributes to their spread, and they
can also survive and reproduce in difficult
environments. Invasive weeds pose a serious threat
to the environment and primary production
industries. They contribute significantly to land
degradation, displace native species and reduce
farm and forest productivity. Australia has invested
considerable time and money to try and combat
weed problems and protect ecosystems and primary
production. Human activity and introduced animals
contribute greatly to the spread of weeds.
Prevention is the best method to deal with
unwanted weeds. Refer to the diseases to a
minimum (Department of the Environment and
Energy, 2019).
 INVASIVE SPECIES
DISEASES
Myrtle rust is a fungal disease that affects new growth
in eucalypts, meleucas, bottlebrush and other
Myrtaceae plants. Myrtle rust was first detected in
Australia in 2010 on the New South Wales central
coast but has spread further now. The yellow/orange
spores are easily spread on clothing, gear and
vehicles. Myrtle rust spores can spread easily via
contaminated equipment, infected plan material,
animals or the wind.
Phytophthora is one of the most common, invasive
species found in Deep Creek Conservation Park.
Phytophthora, otherwise known as root-rot fungus, is
killing our native plants, which is then affecting the
animals that depend upon plants for food and shelter.
This minute, introduced fungus can be found in plant
roots, soil and water.
Phytophthora attacks the roots and stems of
susceptible plants and causes them to rot as they are
no longer able to take up water and nutrients. The
first visual symptoms of phytophthora are
discolouration of the leaves. Depending on the size of
the plant, it may take a couple of weeks to
several years for the plant to die.
“While it is still uncertain exactly how many
species in Australia are threatened, it is
expected to be in the hundreds.”
Phytophthora is native to South-East Asia and is likely
to reach the Mount Lofty Ranges around 1970 in
infested berries from nurseries in the Dandenong
Ranges. It is able to survive in the Southern areas of
South Australia as the average annual rainfall is
greater than 16 inches, and soils are acid to neutral.
However, the spores can remain dormant until the
conditions are right for growth.
There is no cure, however, we can help to slow down
its spread and minimise the deadly effects by taking
precautions (Parks.sa.gov.au, 2019).
LEAVE HITCHHIKERS BEHIND!
While we have a strong mindset of ‘treading lightly,’
many of us don’t realise that we are unknowingly
spreading weeds and diseases that can kill wildlife,
contaminate our water or destroy natural habitats.
They can hitch a ride on your boots, clothes,
equipment or vehicles!
Here are some simple techniques you can use to keep
your gear clean and our natural environments free of
pests and diseases.
• Start each trip with freshly-washed clothes and a
clean hat
• Thoroughly check your clothes and gear for soil,
seeds, debris and spores before arriving at and
leaving each location
• Clean clothes and gear with a brush or scrub with
water before arriving and leaving each location.
Clean off mud, soil and organic matter. Think
about your shoes, socks, tent, tent pegs and
vehicles, and make sure that all soil, seeds and
debris are removed and left on-site. You could
use a small brush to clean boots and tent pegs.
Alternatively, you can disinfect with a solution of
70% ethanol or methylated spirits in 30% water
applied through a spray bottle.
• Pick off seeds from shoes and clothes, and check
your gear for any seeds. Carry seeds out in a zip-
lock bag.
• Avoid contaminating water by taking care with
personal hygiene and toileting. Bury toilet waste
at least 10cm deep, 100m from water. This stops
the spread of giardia and other bugs
• Avoid clothes or footwear that capture weed
seed. Choose close-weave clothes, sock
protectors or long pants
• Stay on designated walking tracks to avoid
spreading diseases into untracked areas,
especially on wet ground
• Avoid driving, riding or walking in areas when
soils are wet or sticky
• Obey road signs – roads and tracks may be
closed to stop the spread of phytophthora
• Use wash down or hygiene stations to clean
shoes when provided
• Undertake a risk assessment
• Implement a hygiene management plan
• (Invasive Species Council, 2019)
Help stop the spread! Remember ‘Arrive
Clean, Leave Clean!’
References:
Invasive Species Council. (2019). Keep your gear clean in the wild - Invasive
Species Council. [online] Available at: https://invasives.org.au/project/keep-
gear-clean-wild/ [Accessed 19 Sep. 2019].
Parks.sa.gov.au. (2019). Deep Creek Conservation Park. [online] Available at:
https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-
park/Browse_by_region/Fleurieu_Peninsula/deep-creek-conservation-
park#about [Accessed 19 Sep. 2019].
Department of the Environment and Energy. (2019). Department of the
Environment and Energy. [online] Available at:
https://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/invasive-species/feral-animals-
australia [Accessed 19 Sep. 2019].