Current Constraints on Good Management

Many of the failings of current control programs relate to the tactical approaches to combat a single invader. Mack et al. (2000) discussed the need for a long-term, large-scale strategy, which should establish why the invaders are succeeding in a region and should seek to address the underlying causes rather than destroying the currently most oppressive invader. However, Mack et al. (2000) make that point that the difficult issues in implementing management plans for pests and invaders are just as likely to be socio-economic as they are to be scientific.

Read Mack et al. (2000) to discover what they mean by this statement.

Perrings et al. (2002) discuss some of the limitations to good management in more detail and focus on the economic constraints in particular. They suggest several ways of improving the current situation.

Read these papers and consider which of these causes and possible solutions would be most relevant to the pests we have discussed in tropical Australia.


Assignment 3

This is your final written assignment. You are required to write an essay.

Please provide essay style responses to the following:

  1. Review Chapter 3.4 (Risk Assessment) in the GISP toolkit (Wittenberg & Cock, 2001). How does an understanding of weed risk allow you to make better management decisions? You should be able to draw upon a range of examples to illustrate your response.
  2. Review Chapter 5 (Assessment and Management) in the GISP toolkit (Wittenberg & Cock, 2001). What are the aims and application of the main management strategies for dealing with established invasive alien species (plants and animals?). How do you choose between each when developing management goals and approaches? Use examples wherever possible in your response.