Rabbits are environmental disruptors in Australia. Their influence permeates through changes in vegetation composition and biomass to soil health and erosion, to agricultural productivity and carbon sequestration, to supporting feral predators and to changing the ecological balance of plants and animals.
The relationship between wild rabbits and glossy black-cockatoos is an example of how subtle impacts can have devastating consequences. The SA subspecies of glossy black-cockatoos is listed as a vulnerable threatened species under the EPBC Act, and is virtually extinct on the mainland. As the glossy-black graphic (below) shows, rabbits seek out sheoak seedlings and prevent regeneration, affecting the long term-term food supply of glossy black-cockatoos who rely on sheoak seeds, putting the whole species at risk.
It takes good science to understand links like these and good science to continually develop ever-better ways to manage rabbits and protect the Australian environment from they harm they cause. This week is Science Week – a moment to pause and acknowledge our reliance on research.
More information on rabbits and Glossy Black-Cockatoos is available in the illustrated children’s book, ‘Banjo Frog’s Concert Spectacular‘ and the Easter Bilby’s Friends website, here.
