Invasive Species Presence

AUS-ASP-AGR-ISP General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.5 rabbit/ha
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 0.5
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: UpperThreshold

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Evidence & Context

Research demonstrates that the regeneration of key native flora, specifically drooping she-oak (Allocasuarina verticillata) and sweet bursaria (Bursaria spinosa), cannot occur when rabbit densities are at or above 0.5 rabbits per hectare.

Metric Definition:

Density of European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) per hectare at which regeneration of key native flora is inhibited.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the density of European Rabbit above which regeneration of key native flora in arid shrublands and stony plains agricultural crop production areas is prevented.

Justification:

This threshold is supported by ecological research in arid South Australian ecosystems indicating a critical density of 0.5 rabbits per hectare.

Sources (1)

Preview of Invasive species and their impacts on agri-ecosystems - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 7, 2025
Invasive species and their impacts on agri-ecosystems - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed July 7, 2025 Journal

Ranking buffel: Comparative risk and mitigation costs of key ..., accessed August 28, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Final report - MLA, accessed July 19, 2025,
Final report - MLA, accessed July 19, 2025,
Direct Evidence

Queensland Government target of 70% late dry season ground cover for grazing lands 13

View Source
Preview of New pasture plants intensify invasive species risk - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 6, 2025,
New pasture plants intensify invasive species risk - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 6, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Impacts and management of feral horses in the Australian Alps Submission 25 - Parliament of Australia, accessed on May 25, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Shrublands & Stony Plains
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Retired
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 21 Mar 2026
  • Effective To 21 Mar 2026

Notes

This threshold represents a critical point where ecosystem recovery is inhibited due to invasive herbivore pressure.