KAKADU NATIONAL PARK Local Animals Vs. Introduced Species BY: NIVEDHA PRAKASH

1. KAKADU NATIONAL PARK Local Animals Vs. Introduced Species BY: NIVEDHA PRAKASH

2. KAKADU NATIONAL PARK • Kakadu National Park is situated in the Northern Territory of Australia, covering an area of 19,804 kilometres squared, extending nearly 200 kilometres from north to south. • Kakadu National Park is renowned for its extraordinary wetlands and rich cultural traditions, and has received two World Heritage listings, and is the second largest national park in the world! • The major landforms and habitats in Kakadu National Park include an entire tropical river, a sandstone plateau, savannah woodlands, open forests, rivers, floodplains, mangroves and mudflats. • The wildlife in Kakadu National Park includes over 280 species of birds, 60 kinds of native mammals, 55 kinds of freshwater fish, thousands of species of insects, and many species of reptiles, the most famous of which is the salt-water crocodile. • The Park also features some of the finest and most • accessible rock art in the world, dating back to • thousands of years.

3. How does the native flora and fauna help to nourish and preserve the national park? • Kakadu's flora is among the richest in northern Australia and has more than 2000 plant species. This richness is a result of the park's geological, landform and habitat diversity. The different geographical areas of Kakadu have their own specialised flora. • The native flora and fauna in the national park are adapted to living in particular conditions. This therefore helps to preserve the environment because the they have a natural position in the ecosystem and damaging this would mean damage to the entire ecosystem and food web. • Native animas are part of the natural food chain, they help each other to grow and survive. When new species are introduced into a certain environment they begin to expand or change the natural food chain therefore affecting the native animals. • It is what helps them to survive and this complex web of food chains have been maintained for millions of years, which in return helps to preserve and nourish the national park.

4. Analysis of Introduced Species • Many of the Introduced species in Kakadu National Park have been introduced by non-aboriginal people. These species appear to have specific traits that allow them to out compete native species. • Some of these traits include: Fast growth, Rapid reproduction, High dispersal ability, the ability to alter growth form to suit current conditions, tolerance of a wide range of environmental conditions, and the ability to live off of a wide range of food types. • Introduced species can become invasive if it can outcompete native species for resources such as light, nutrients, physical space, water or food. Theyare able to take advantage of sudden burst of lights and this is a major factor which contributes to the increased spread of introduced species. • Introduced species might be able to use resources which are unavailable to native species or the ability to live on previously uninhabited soil types. They thrive in soils with a higher nutrient content inwhich native species often find hard surviving in. • Introduced species grow more rapidly and the mild climatic conditions present gives them a much longer growing season than native species. They spread weeds, increase erosion, and prey on native animals.

5. How have introduced species damaged Kakadu National Park? Make specific reference to local flora and fauna. • Introduced species have had and still have many impacts on the native flora and fauna. The Asian water buffalo is one such species which was introduced to into northern Australian settlements between the 1820s and the 1840s. • Buffalos are animals which greatly affect the soil due to their huge size, and weight. The hard hooves on their feet compact the soil therefore not allowing plant growth. Also, their wallowing erodes river banks and makes the water unclean directly effecting many of the aquatic plants and animals. • They also eat large volumes of grass and plants, and as they move around they create 'swim channels.' These channels intersect with creeks, making it easier for saltwater to move into freshwater swamps once again killing a number of plants and animals that cannot survive in saltwater. • The main form of introduced flora in Kakadu National Park are weeds. Weeds compete with native plants for light, moisture and nutrients and often do not provide appropriate food and shelter for native wildlife. • In particular, a Central American woody shrub, called Mimosa (Mimosa Pigra) • is highly invasive. This particular shrub has a lack of natural enemies, a rapid • growth rate, easily transported viable seed and a • tolerance of drought and flood.

6. Some of the other introduced species which have damaged Kakadu National Park are cane toads, cattle, pigs, horses, donkeys, cats, dogs, rats and mice. • Pigs cause a hefty damage to Kakadu National Park as they degrade environments and dig up areas as they search for food. This ground they expose is vulnerable to weed infestation. • Cane toads were just recently found in the national park. They are poisonous and any other animal which tries to eat it will die instead, causing a huge damage to the native species. • Dogs are known to be invasive because they interbreed with dingos, changing their gene pool. • Horses are common in the southern woodlands of the park and they spread weeds and damage waterholes by eroding soil. • FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: FERAL HORSES, FERAL PIGS AND A FERAL DOG

7. What have been some government initiatives to help overcome the problems of introduced species? • The government has put forth four main goals to help overcome the problem of introduced species. They are: • Exclude – prevent the establishment of new invasive species. The challenge is to identify species, thoroughly assess potential dangersand implement effective barriers to prevent their establishment. • Eradicate – eliminate or prevent the spread of new invasive species. The challenge is to develop efficient ways to eradicate an introduced species before it becomes widespread. • Effectively Manage – reduce the impacts of widespread invasive species. The challenge is to manage or control these species to reduce their impact where benefits of control are greatest. • Capacity– ensure the government has the ability and commitment to manage invasive species. The challenge is for the government to have the knowledge, skills, resources and systems to address the impacts of invasive species. • In collaboration with Aboriginal traditional owners, the government has many • comprehensive programs which are being done to reduce • the number of these introduced species.

8. List possible solutions to assist the Kakadu national park overcome this problem • Visitors to the Kakadu National Park can play an important role in helping to overcome the problem of introduced species. Weeds for example can be easily stepped on and moved from one area to another area. Check your vehicles, trailers and equipment before entering the park. • Conventional techniques for control of invasive animals include fencing, trapping, poisoning and shooting. • Fences have been used to exclude species such as foxes and feral cats, for example in protecting specific populations of endangered species. • Electric fences are also used to protect small areas of high conservation value from some invasive animals. • Biological methods to control pests include the use of natural predators, parasites and disease-carrying bacteria or viruses.

9. The following are some links to videos and songs about introduced species: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ps6c4tGxnHM&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ib3LcNOWCk • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfyBYfifCo4 • The next few links are interactive games, interactive maps and fun activities about introduced species: • http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/nature/invasive-species-game.html • http://www.onearth.org/blog/whats-happening-on-earth/stowaway-species-interactive • http://is.cbr.tulane.edu/InvasiveSpecies.html

10. Bibliography: • http://www.environment.gov.au/parks/kakadu/management/programs/feral-animals.html • http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/236900/nsw-invasive-species-plan.pdf • http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/education/pubs/factsheets/kakadu-national-park.pdf • http://www.wildplaces.net.au/kakadu.htm • http://www.lonelyplanet.com/australia/northern-territory/kakadu-national-park • http://www.wildplaces.net.au/enviro.htm • http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/000632079390500Z • Google Images • THANK YOU FOR WATCHING!