Another World: The composition and consequences of the Introduced Mammal fauna of New Zealand

Abstract

Terrestrial mammals are a geologically recent addition to New Zealand ecosystems. However, in a very short space of time, they have become a significant feature of the environment. Introduced mammals form the basis of the country's economy, they provide world-recognised sporting opportunities, and are considered by many as an enriching part of the New Zealand landscape. However, exotic mammals are also responsible for significant ecological and economic damage, and are often the focus of intensive, sustained and costly control efforts. In economic terms, many domesticated mammal species are perceived as vital and integral resources, while ecologically, wild and feral mammals are still viewed as foreign and unwelcome. In comparison to areas with large endemic mammal faunas such as Australia, the science of mammalogy in New Zealand is primarily the synthesis of the study of mammalian biology, ecology, invasion biology and human perception, and represents a globally unique perspective. New Zealand mammalogis...