SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL ASPECTS OF VERTEBRATE PEST DAMAGE WITH EMPHASIS ON FERAL PIGS

1. Aspects of the spatial and temporal patterns of damage by vertebrat e pests, especially feral pigs, are examined. 2. The spatial extent an d pattern of ground rooting, as an index of damage, by feral pigs can be predicted by simple modelling. This allows determination of locatio ns of maximum and minimum disturbance, and possible sites for concentr ation of pig damage control. 3. The response of damage to control depe nds on a relationship between the levels of damage and pest abundance or the rate of change in damage and pest abundance. 4. Analysis shows that statistically significant relationships occur for the latter but not the former for feral pigs. The relationship is non-linear, and pre dicts an equilibrium abundance of pigs for maintenance of rooting freq uency and a variable response in rooting to a unit change in pig abund ance associated with control. 5. The implications for vertebrate pest control are discussed.