Choosing the best methods for controlling possums and other pests
Choosing the best methods to control possums, rats, ferrets, stoats and feral cats has been made easier with the production of a publicly available internet–based Decision Support System or ´DSSD.
Thursday 09 Sep 2010
Vertebrate pest decision support system
Choosing the best methods to control possums, rats, ferrets, stoats and feral cats has been made easier with the production of a publicly available internet–based Decision Support System or ´DSSD.
Choosing the best methods to control possums, rats, ferrets, stoats and feral cats has been made easier with the production of a publicly available internet-based Decision Support System or ‘DSS’.
Researchers at Landcare Research developed the application primarily for local authority pest managers, but it is also applicable to anyone needing to control mammal pests.
“Pest control has become quite complex over the last 10 years with new legislation and regulations, new pest control products, increasing public interest in conservation and pest problems, and increasing privatisation of the pest control industry,” researcher Dr Dave Morgan says.
“Local authorities are also under increasing accountability to rate-payers and all of this led to the idea of developing a system that would help people select the most appropriate control methods by a transparent, objective process.”
The DSS was designed by identifying the ‘generic’ questions that arise when pest managers are thinking about what control methods to use. Because the questions require ‘yes/no’ responses, the system is easy to use and unambiguous. The questions are focussed around the key issues of: legislation, operational aims, land tenure, farming practice, public and environmental safety, community views and involvement, and landowner views.
By considering these factors in a logical and systematic way, a number of options are presented. These are further narrowed down by establishing what control methods have been used previously because frequently repeated use of most methods results in declining effectiveness. Finally, recommended options are made on the basis of the likely cost of the remaining suggested methods.
Links are given to ‘best-practice’ advice for all methods. This is based largely on documents produced by the Department of Conservation and by the National Possum Control Agencies. Most of the best-practice advice is based on research carried out in New Zealand.
The system therefore emulates the decision-making process that an experienced, well-informed pest manager would typically follow, Dr Morgan says.
“The DSS is designed to support human decision-making, not replace it. That’s because there is always the possibility that the DSS may not consider every constraint that applies to a particular pest control operation”.
While the DSS guides the selection of appropriate control methods, it is not a complete planning tool for pest control operations. However, links to additional planning tools are given in the ‘help’ sections throughout the DSS.
The system will be updated with new information and Dr Morgan encourages users to send feedback.
The DSS is available at: http://pestdss.landcareresearch.co.nz