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Biodiversity management in dryland ecosystems Grant Norbury James Smith Andrea Byrom Roger Pech. Diverse, but threatened, indigenous biodiversity. Two major ecological issues. Complex food webs Successional vegetation. Exotic invaders. Short grass. Tall grass. Tall grass Shrub.
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Biodiversity management in dryland ecosystemsGrant NorburyJames SmithAndrea ByromRoger Pech
Two major ecological issues • Complex food webs • Successional vegetation
Exotic invaders
Short grass Tall grass Tall grass Shrub Shrub succession Shrub
Conservation management in drylands • Predator control • Rabbit control • Weed control • Land retirement • Land development
Herbivores Mesopredators • Predator control • Mesic Top predators Insectivores Invertebrates Lizards Pasture/seed/fruit
Herbivores • Predator control • Dryland Top predators Insectivores Mesopredators Invertebrates Lizards Pasture/seed/fruit
Rabbit control Top predators Insectivores Herbivores Mesopredators Invertebrates Lizards ? Pasture/seed/fruit
Weed control Top predators Insectivores Herbivores Mesopredators Invertebrates Lizards Grass ? Pasture/seed/fruit
Land retirement Top predators Insectivores Herbivores Mesopredators Invertebrates Lizards ? Pasture/seed/fruit
Land use intensification Short grass Tall grass Tall grass Shrub Shrub
2003 1990 5 km
Conclusions • Ecosystem complexity leads to uncertain outcomes • Changes in land use can have profound effects on food webs, and therefore on biodiversity • Scale of management is critical
Thankyou • Foundation for Research, Science & Technology • Department of Conservation