Land and Biodiversity

Pest Plants and Animals

The terms pest plants and pest animals refer to introduced species that have invaded and become established in Victorian ecosystems, as well as to native species occurring in abundance outside their natural range.

A large number of non-native plant and animal species, including invertebrates, have been introduced to Victoria, either deliberately or accidentally. Some of these, such as rabbits, foxes and blackberries, have established and become widespread in Victoria. Introduced pests destroy habitat for native species, and prey on them directly. Weeds and pest animals can have major impacts on native species, weed invasion being the second-most threatening process for Victorian biodiversity after habitat loss. Established weeds and pests are almost impossible to eradicate and their management imposes heavy costs on public and private land managers, diverting funds from other environmental concerns. Numbers of pest species are slowly increasing, especially for new weed species, most of which are of garden origin.

This section provides data on the number and distribution of pest species in Victoria and information on trends in their populations. A case study illustrating an effective program of fox management in East Gippsland is presented. This section also provides an overview of Victoria’s biosecurity approach to pest management and presents recommendations for improving management of pest species and minimising pest plant introductions.

LB4.2.4 Pest Plants and Animals (PDF - 334 KB)