How have introduced rabbits affected Australian rangeland ecosystems?

Introduced European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have profoundly altered Australian rangeland ecosystems since their arrival in 1859, acting as one of the country's most damaging invasive species.12

Their impact on vegetation and the broader ecosystem includes:

• Consumption and Competition: As abundant herbivores, rabbits consume both adult plants and seedlings, which changes the composition of plant communities and hinders the ability of native species to reproduce. They also compete directly with native grazing animals for food resources.23
• Ecosystem Stress: By overgrazing, rabbits contribute to the degradation of rangeland health, which is linked to biodiversity loss and desertification.2
• Predator Support: The presence of large rabbit populations supports increased numbers of invasive predators, such as feral cats and European red foxes, which further pressure native animal populations.23

Efforts to control these populations—including the use of myxomatosis, poisoning, and warren destruction—have often faced challenges as rabbits develop immunity or adapt, leading to ongoing ecological consequences across the continent.142