Can a cocker spaniel save Australia's alpine ecosystems from invasive weeds?
In short: In the fragile Snowy Mountains, a specialized team of sniffer dogs is on a high-stakes mission. Using their extraordinary sense of smell, these trained canines are hunting down invasive hawkweed species before they can blanket the landscape and smother native flora.
The alpine and sub-alpin areas of Australia face a significant ecological threat from hawkweed. While some native species, like bidgee-widgee, have evolved to spread via animals, invasive hawkweeds use more aggressive tactics. In New Zealand, hawkweed has already blanketed over 6 million hectares. In New South Wales, ecologists like Mark Hamilton of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service are working to prevent a similar takeover by species such as mouse-ear hawkweed, orange hawkweed, and the taller, multi-flowered King Devil Hawkweed.
These invaders are particularly difficult to manage because of their biological advantages. Beyond spreading via wind-blown seeds and stolons—side shoots that root to form dense mats—they employ allelopathy. This process involves releasing chemicals into the soil to actively inhibit the growth of competing plants. Identifying them is a challenge because mouse-ear hawkweed can be easily confused with dandelions or native murrnong, though its leaves possess a distinct white underside and unusually long hairs.
To combat this, trainers like Ryan Tate use dogs like Sally, a black cocker spaniel, to detect plants that are otherwise hard to spot. The method leverages the canine olfactory advantage: dogs possess at least 30 times more scent receptors than humans, and at least 40% of their brain is dedicated to smell. Training begins in quiet environments and progresses to complex sites like Kosciuszko National Park. Once a dog identifies a plant, the team records GPS coordinates for a removal 'swat' team, often supported by drones and volunteers.
The management strategy is a multi-layered effort. While drones survey large areas for orange flowers, volunteers hunt in difficult terrain, sometimes requiring helicopters for access. After removal, the area is re-checked every summer for several years to ensure the invasive species does not return.
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