13 research outputs found
The control of rodent damage in Australian macadamia orchards by manipulation of adjacent non-crop habitats
Habitat manipulation was used as a management strategy for the control of rodent (Rattus rattus) damage in Australian macadamia orchard systems. Large, temporally stable non-crop habitats were converted to highly modified grasslands. These sites were manipulated by removing all non-crop vegetation over 10 cm in height to a distance of approximately 20 m from the orchard. Regrowth was controlled by the application of herbicide. The total cost of the habitat manipulation was AUD 980 per site. Therefore habitat manipulation was cost-effective and is a viable startegy for the control of rodent damage in Australian macadamia orchard systems