This article was released yesterday on the New Scientist website under the environment section, preposing an interesting but controversial remedy for wildfires in Australia caused by the excessive growth of introduced grass species:
Ecologist David Bowman of the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Australia, argues that large herbivores including elephants should be introduced to Australia to bring balance to a country
A sudden image of millions of cane toads came to my mind when I read this...
"Ecologist David Bowman of the University of Tasmania in Hobart, Australia, argues that large herbivores including elephants should be introduced to Australia to bring balance to a country ravaged by uncontrolled wildfiresand non-native animals that have gone feral...."Fascinating all the same and interesting response from Pete Darwin to the original New Sicence article.
kitchinsink
February 3, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Seems to me the last thing Australia needs is the introduction of another non-native species. Perhaps a return to traditional aboriginal land management techniques would be much more appropriate.
Sarah M. Lawton
February 4, 2012 at 9:59 am
I can’t help but agree. You’d think the past would have taught us all a few lessons regarding messing with ecology…
earthriderjudyberman
February 4, 2012 at 3:38 pm
These introductions always have unintended consequences. In Lousiana, they have the nutria that was brought in to take care of certain vegetation (I believe) and that population is growing. In New York, we had the beautiful purple loosestrife plants that have overtaken the landscape. It has crowded out native vegetation and that’s affected birds and insects that depended on that vegetation. And, in Florida, we have Brazilian pepper trees that many are trying to get rid of for the same reasons.
Sarah M. Lawton
February 5, 2012 at 8:08 am
Yes. In the UK farmers rue the day the rabbit was brought to Britain! Although I rather like them if I’m honest.
ManicDdaily
February 11, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Seems pretty crazy to me–like fighting fire with fire, but creating more fire. Perhaps there are just so many non-native species–I don’t know. (I do love elephants, but…) K.
Sarah M. Lawton
February 11, 2012 at 5:02 pm
Yes. A great big BBQ you might say!