INVASIVE Feral European Red Fox

The European Red Fox was introduced in the mid-

1800s for recreational hunting, however, they have
SPECIES now spread across most of Australia and are providing
danger to a number of native animals and particularly
Australia is a beautiful place to explore! From
lambs. Controlling the number of foxes relies heavily
pristine beaches to vast desserts, you are sure to
on techniques such as shooting, poisoning and
enjoy yourself in our country!
fencing (Department of the Environment and Energy,
However, weeds, pests and diseases are major
2019).
threats to Australia’s native plants and animals.
While we have a strong mindset of ‘treading lightly,’
many of us don’t realise that we are unknowingly
spreading weeds and diseases that can kill wildlife, WEEDS
Arrive
contaminate our water or destroy natural habitats. A weed is a plant that requires some form of

FERALS
Along with invasive diseases and weeds, come
action to reduce its impact on the economy,
environment and human health. Weeds compete
with native plants for space, nutrients and sunlight,
which has a negative effect on animals that
Clean,
invasive pests.

Leave
require specific plants for survival. Many plants
that were introduced to Australia in the past 200
European Wild Rabbit
years are now weeds. Weeds produce a large
Rabbits were introduced from the First Fleet and are
amount of seeds, which contributes to their
now one of the most common and widespread
spread, and they can also survive and reproduce
mammals in Australia. Rabbits cause severe damage
to our environment by competing with native wildlife,
damaging vegetation and degrading the land.
Additionally, they have caused extinctions of some
animals and have contributed to the decline in many
in difficult environments. Invasive weeds pose a
serious threat to the environment and primary
production industries. They contribute significantly
to land degradation, displace native species and
Clean
reduce farm and forest productivity. Australia has
native plants. Controlling methods are difficult as they
invested considerable time and money to try and
may affect other native predators which eat
combat weed problems and protect ecosystems
rabbits. The most common controls used
and primary production. Human activity and
are exposing them to diseases which only
introduced animals contribute greatly to the
affects rabbits or using toxins to kill rabbits
spread of weeds. Prevention is the best method to
while they are in their burrows (Department
deal with unwanted weeds. Refer to the diseases
of the Environment and Energy, 2019).
to a minimum (Department of the Environment
and Energy, 2019).

INVASIVE SPECIES
DISEASES
Myrtle rust is a fungal disease that affects new
growth in eucalypts, meleucas, bottlebrush and
other Myrtaceae plants. Myrtle rust was first
detected in Australia in 2010 on the New South
Wales central coast but has spread further now. The
yellow/orange spores are easily spread on clothing,
gear and vehicles. Myrtle rust spores can spread
easily via contaminated equipment, infected plan
material, animals or the wind.
Phytophthora is one of the most common, invasive
species found in Deep Creek Conservation Park.
Phytophthora, otherwise known as root-rot fungus,
is killing our native plants, which is then affecting the
animals that depend upon plants for food and
shelter. This minute, introduced fungus can be found
in plant roots, soil and water.
Phytophthora attacks the roots and stems of
susceptible plants and causes them to rot as they
are no longer able to take up water and nutrients.
The first visual symptoms of phytophthora are
discolouration of the leaves. Depending on the size
of the plant, it may take a couple of weeks
to several years for the plant to die.
“While it is still uncertain exactly how many
species in Australia are threatened, it is
expected to be in the hundreds.”
Phytophthora is native to South-East Asia and is
likely to reach the Mount Lofty Ranges around 1970
in infested berries from nurseries in the Dandenong
Ranges. It is able to survive in the Southern areas of
South Australia as the average annual rainfall is
greater than 16 inches, and soils are acid to neutral.
However, the spores can remain dormant until the
conditions are right for growth.
There is no cure, however, we can help to slow
down its spread and minimise the deadly effects by
taking precautions (Parks.sa.gov.au, 2019).
LEAVE HITCHHIKERS
BEHIND!
While we have a strong mindset of ‘treading lightly,’
many of us don’t realise that we are unknowingly
spreading weeds and diseases that can kill wildlife,
contaminate our water or destroy natural habitats.
They can hitch a ride on your boots, clothes,
equipment or vehicles!
Here are some simple techniques you can use to
keep your gear clean and our natural environments
free of pests and diseases.
 Start each trip with freshly-washed clothes and
a clean hat
 Thoroughly check your clothes and gear for
soil, seeds, debris and spores before arriving at
and leaving each location
 Clean clothes and gear with a brush or scrub
with water before arriving and leaving each
location. Clean off mud, soil and organic matter.
Think about your shoes, socks, tent, tent pegs
and vehicles, and make sure that all soil, seeds
and debris are removed and left on-site. You
could use a small brush to clean boots and tent
pegs. Alternatively, you can disinfect with a
solution of 70% ethanol or methylated spirits in
30% water applied through a spray bottle.
 Pick off seeds from shoes and clothes, and
check your gear for any seeds. Carry seeds out
in a zip-lock bag.
 Avoid contaminating water by taking care with
personal hygiene and toileting. Bury toilet waste
at least 10cm deep, 100m from water. This
stops the spread of giardia and other bugs
 Avoid clothes or footwear that capture weed
seed. Choose close-weave clothes, sock
protectors or long pants
 Stay on designated walking tracks to avoid
spreading diseases into untracked areas,
especially on wet ground
 Avoid driving, riding or walking in areas when
soils are wet or sticky
 Obey road signs – roads and tracks may be
closed to stop the spread of phytophthora
 Use wash down or hygiene stations to clean
shoes when provided
 Undertake a risk assessment
 Implement a hygiene management plan
 (Invasive Species Council, 2019)
Help stop the spread! Remember ‘Arrive
Clean, Leave Clean!’
References:
Invasive Species Council. (2019). Keep your gear clean in the wild -
Invasive Species Council. [online] Available at:
https://invasives.org.au/project/keep-gear-clean-wild/ [Accessed 19 Sep.
2019].
Parks.sa.gov.au. (2019). Deep Creek Conservation Park. [online]
Available at: https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/find-a-
park/Browse_by_region/Fleurieu_Peninsula/deep-creek-conservation-
park#about [Accessed 19 Sep. 2019].
Department of the Environment and Energy. (2019). Department of the
Environment and Energy. [online] Available at: