page_title: Environmental issues in Australia
section_title: Invasive species
hierarchical_section_title: Environmental issues in Australia / Conservation / Invasive species
context_page_description: Environmental issues in Australia describes a number of environmental issues which affect the environment of Australia. There are a range of such issues, some of the relating to conservation in Australia while others, for example the deteriorating state of Murray-Darling Basin, have a direct and serious effect on human land use and the economy.
  Many human activities including the use of natural resources have a direct impact on the Australian environment.
  These issues are the primary concern of the environmental movement in Australia.
context_section_description: Australia's geographical isolation has resulted in the evolution of many delicate ecological relationships that are sensitive to foreign invaders and in many instances provided no natural predators for many of the species subsequently introduced.  Introduced plants that have caused widespread problems are lantana and the prickly pear bush.  The introduction and spread of animals such as the cane toad or rabbit can disrupt the existing balances between populations and develop into environmental problems.  The introduction of cattle into Australia and to a lesser extent the dingo, are other examples of species that have changed the landscape. In some cases the introduction of new species can lead to plagues and the extinction of endemic species.
  The introduced species red fox has single-handedly caused the extinction of several species.  Tasmania takes the threat of red fox introduction so seriously that it has a government sponsored taskforce to prevent fox populations from taking hold on the island.
caption: Introduced cane toads threaten native species
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