Shock waves from RHD (RCD)
The introduction of RHD (RCD) was a huge pebble in our ecological pond. Rabbits have declined (at some places and at various times) and, as expected, predators have switched to eating more native fauna. In some areas up to 36 percent of rabbits are already immune to RHD. There are fears that fluctuations in rabbit and predator numbers could result in repeated prey-switching events, with hungry predators turning more to birds. Alternatively, reduced rabbit and predator numbers could mean reduced predation pressure but it’s too early to tell. Fewer rabbits can also mean more weeds, especially in riverbeds. More vegetation means more lizards and invertebrates, with a probable increase in their predators (rats, stoats and hedgehogs) and a corresponding decline in the rabbit-eating cats and ferrets. Due to the complex nature of the system it will be decades before the net gain or loss to native fauna is known.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/FORBI19990801.2.45
Bibliographic details
Forest and Bird, Issue 293, 1 August 1999, Page 40
Word Count
154Shock waves from RHD (RCD) Forest and Bird, Issue 293, 1 August 1999, Page 40
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