The Population Biology and Genomics (PBG) group within the School of Molecular and Life Sciences recently hosted a successful two-day workshop on the ‘Cost and Feasibility of Eradicating Invasive Species’.

The workshop included presentations and discussion of the key concepts, parameters, and data requirements of new software tools for the estimation of the cost and feasibility of invasive animal eradication. In addition to demonstrations, participants were able to trial the tools using their own data.

Presenters included Dr Dave Ramsey and Dr Michael Scroggie from the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research (Victoria) and Dr Dean Anderson from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research (NZ) who each have decades of experience in this space, a passion for applied ecology and a gift for explaining complex ideas.

The workshop showed the great value that statistical ecology can bring to decision making around efforts to control and eradicate pest species.

Attendees included representatives from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Thank you to Professor Ben Phillips, Dr Brenton von Takach and the team at PBG for facilitating this innovative workshop. Read more about the group here.