Resolving the value of the dingo in ecological restoration |
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| Authors: | Thomas M Newsome Guy‐Anthony Ballard Mathew S Crowther Justin A Dellinger Peter J S Fleming Alistair S Glen Aaron C Greenville Chris N Johnson Mike Letnic Katherine E Moseby Dale G Nimmo Michael Paul Nelson John L Read William J Ripple Euan G Ritchie Carolyn R Shores Arian D Wallach Aaron J Wirsing Christopher R Dickman |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia;2. Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, U.S.A.;3. School of Environmental and Rural Sciences, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia;4. Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Biosecurity NSW, NSW Department of Primary Industries, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia;5. School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, U.S.A.;6. Vertebrate Pest Research Unit, Biosecurity NSW, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange, New South Wales 2800, Australia;7. Landcare Research, Lincoln 7640, New Zealand;8. School of Biological Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia;9. Centre for Ecosystem Science, and School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia;10. School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia;11. Arid Recovery, Roxby Downs, South Australia 5725, Australia;12. Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia;13. Charles Darwin University, Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Darwin, Northern Territory 0909, Australia |
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| Abstract: | There is global interest in restoring populations of apex predators, both to conserve them and to harness their ecological services. In Australia, reintroduction of dingoes (Canis dingo) has been proposed to help restore degraded rangelands. This proposal is based on theories and the results of studies suggesting that dingoes can suppress populations of prey (especially medium‐ and large‐sized herbivores) and invasive predators such as red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and feral cats (Felis catus) that prey on threatened native species. However, the idea of dingo reintroduction has met opposition, especially from scientists who query the dingo's positive effects for some species or in some environments. Here, we ask ‘what is a feasible experimental design for assessing the role of dingoes in ecological restoration?’ We outline and propose a dingo reintroduction experiment—one that draws upon the existing dingo‐proof fence—and identify an area suitable for this (Sturt National Park, western New South Wales). Although challenging, this initiative would test whether dingoes can help restore Australia's rangeland biodiversity, and potentially provide proof‐of‐concept for apex predator reintroductions globally. |
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| Keywords: | Australia Canis dingo extinction mesopredator release top predator |
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