Pest plants and animals and pathogens

    Photo of a feral pig among damaged wet heath.

    Feral pig and damaged wet heath.

    Photo credit: Queensland Government

    What are pest plants and animals?

    Pest plant and animals are species that occur beyond their natural range and have the potential to cause significant adverse economic, environmental and social impacts. Pest plants are often referred to as "weeds" and pest animals as "feral animals".

    Pest plants invade natural communities and can replace native plants and significantly change ecosystems.

    Pest animals can have a major impact on native animals by predation, competition for food and by damaging ecosystems.

    See Useful links for more information about specific pest plants and animals.

    What are pathogens?

    A pathogen is a broad term that refers to any organisms, such as fungi, bacteria, protists, nematodes, and viruses that cause diseases. Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) and the root-rot fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi are examples of plant pathogens with the most significant impacts on native plant species. Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) causes chytridiomycosis, a disease capable of causing sporadic deaths in Australian frogs.

    Threatened species can be particularly vulnerable to introduced pathogens that reduce their ability to reproduce or survive.

    How does QPWS manage pest plants and animals and pathogens?

    QPWS actively manages pest plants and animals in parks, forests and other areas gazetted under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 and Forestry Act 1959, in order to protect the biodiversity and natural processes in these areas.

    In common with all other landholders, QPWS also has a responsibility under the Biosecurity Act 2014 to control declared plant and animal pests on its lands. QPWS has developed a Pest Management System to facilitate pest management planning and to guide on-ground pest management activities.

    Because pathogens are microscopic, they present special problems for detection and management. Containment and prevention of further spread is key to their effective management.

    Pest management objectives

    The primary objectives for QPWS in managing pests are to:

    • protect natural and cultural values, including threatened species and ecosystems, by eradicating pests or significantly reducing impacts
    • prevent the introduction or spread of any declared plant or animal on the QPWS estate
    • undertake pest control programs in cooperation with neighbouring landholders, other State agencies and local government in accordance with the QPWS Good Neighbour Policy
    Photo of a worker in protective gear conducting tree pear poisoning.

    Poisoning tree pear.

    Photo credit: Queensland Government

    Pest management priorities

    QPWS has identified the following priorities:

    • pests declared as restricted matter under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
    • pest animals including feral pigs, feral goats, feral horses, wild dogs and foxes.

    Community involvement

    QPWS is committed to working with the rural community in managing and eradicating pests across the landscape.

    QPWS supports Landcare and Integrated Catchment Management initiatives including the involvement of its local and regional staff in forums and field activities to increase community awareness of pest issues

    QPWS staff participate in the development of local government area pest management plans, to facilitate an integrated and co-ordinated approach to pest management. Planning at local government level is helping to prioritise pest control activities on QPWS estate.

    What can I do to help prevent the spread of pests and pathogens?

    Visitors to parks and forests can help prevent the spread of pest plants and pathogens by following some basic pest plant hygiene principles.

    • Come clean, go  clean – follow these tips to help stop their spread.
    • Drive only on established and designated tracks – seeds can become lodged in vehicle tyres and radiators.
    • Clean your clothing, shoes and camping gear before leaving a campground – seeds can attach to shoes, socks and velcro strips on tents.
    • Keep your boat and trailer free of plant material – aquatic pest plants are capable of growing from parts of plants and not necessarily just from seeds.
    • Don't pick or carry flowers or plants from one area to another – particularly into a park or forest.

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