Spatial and Temporal Aspects of Vertebrate Pest Damage with Emphasis on Feral Pigs

Abstract

1. Aspects of the spatial and temporal patterns of damage by vertebrate pests, especially feral pigs, are examined. 2. The spatial extent and pattern of ground rooting, as an index of damage, by feral pigs can be predicted by simple modelling. This allows determination of locations of maximum and minimum disturbance, and possible sites for concentration of pig damage control. 3. The response of damage to control depends on a relationship between the levels of damage and pest abundance or the rate of change in damage and pest abundance. 4. Analysis shows that statistically significant relationships occur for the latter but not the former for feral pigs. The relationship is non-linear, and predicts an equilibrium abundance of pigs for maintenance of rooting frequency and a variable response in rooting to a unit change in pig abundance associated with control. 5. The implications for vertebrate pest control are discussed.