Summary
The introduction of invasive alien vertebrates is a major cause of the loss of native biodiversity in many regions of the world. The threats posed by them are especially severe on oceanic islands and other isolated ecosystems, in which there are many examples of extinctions or declines of native species caused by alien vertebrates. Predatory mammals are the worst offenders, but mammalian herbivores can also cause biodiversity loss and may provide the prey base to support invasive predators. There are also some notorious examples of alien birds, reptiles and fish that threaten native biodiversity. The adverse effects of invasive alien vertebrates are illustrated by specific examples from New Zealand, including the multiple impacts of Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula). Invasive vertebrates can sometimes be eradicated in the early phases of establishment and can be removed from islands or other isolated areas. However, given the uncertainty about the effects of alien species, the best policy is to adopt the precautionary principle and avoid making introductions without prior rigorous assessment of the risks to native biodiversity.
Zusammenfassung
Die Einführung gebietsfremder Wirbeltierarten ist eine Hauptursache für den Verlust der einheimischen biologischen Vielfalt in vielen Gebieten der Erde. Die von solchen Vorgängen ausgehende Gefährdung ist besonders hoch auf ozeanischen Inseln und in anderen isolierten ökosystemen, für die viele Beispiele des Aussterbens oder des Rückgangs einheimischer Arten durch das Eindringen gebietsfremder Wirbeltiere existieren. Raubsäuger haben den gravierendsten Einfluss, aber auch herbivore Säugetiere können Biodiversitäts-Verluste verursachen sowie als Beute die Nahrungsbasis für eindringende Raubtiere darstellen. Es gibt auch einige bekannte Beispiele für die Bedrohung der einheimischen Biodiversität durch gebietsfremde Vögel, Reptilien und Fische. Die negativen Auswirkungen des Eindringens gebietsfremder Wirbeltiere werden anhand spezifischer Beispiele aus Neuseeland erläutert, darunter auch die vielfältigen Einflüsse des australischen Fuchskusu (Trichosurus vulpecula). Manchmal gelingt die Ausrottung eingedrungener Wirbeltierarten, bevor diese auf Inseln oder in anderen isolierten Gegenden richtig Fu\ fassen können. In Anbetracht der Unsicherheit der von gebietsfremden Wirbeltieren ausgehenden Wirkungen, sollte entsprechend dem Vorsorge-Prinzip das Einbringen von Arten ohne vorherige gründliche Untersuchungen der Risiken für die einheimische Biodiversität unterbleiben.
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Clout, M.N. Biodiversity loss caused by invasive alien vertebrates. Zeitschrift für Jagdwissenschaft 48 (Suppl 1), 51–58 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02192392
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02192392