RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Estimating the value of quarantine: eradicating invasive cane toads from tropical islands
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 344796
DO 10.1101/344796
A1 Adam S Smart
A1 Reid Tingley
A1 Ben L Phillips
YR 2018
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2018/06/12/344796.abstract
AB Islands are increasingly used to protect endangered populations from the negative impacts of invasive species. Quarantine efforts on islands are typically undervalued, however. Using a field-based removal experiment, we estimate the economic value of quarantine efforts aimed at keeping invasive cane toads (Rhinella marina) off Australian islands. We estimate a mean density of 3444 [2744, 4386] individual toads per km2 and a mean per-night detection probability of 0.1 [0.07,0.13]. Using a removal model and estimates of economic costs incurred during toad removal, we estimate that eradicating cane toads would cost AUD$96,556 per km2. Across islands that have been prioritized for conservation benefit across the toads predicted range, we estimate the remaining value of toad quarantine to be more than $1.3 billion. The value of a proposed waterless barrier on the mainland to prevent the spread of toads into the Pilbara was in excess of $26 billion. We conclude that quarantine of toads across Australia provides substantial value in prevented eradication costs.