Curtin University research has found farmers making small changes to how they give water to cattle in semi-arid regions could halt the spread of one of Australia\u2019s most damaging invasive species \u2014 all without disrupting farming operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Published in Global Ecology and Conservation<\/em><\/a>, the paper reveals straightforward, low-cost changes to cattle troughs and fencing could prevent invasive cane toads from accessing the water they need to survive during hot and dry conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Researchers found cane toads were physically unable to jump over smooth barriers higher than about 50cm, meaning many existing cattle water points could be made \u201ctoad\u2011proof\u201d through simple design choices or upgrades during routine maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lead author Dr Judy Dunlop<\/a>, from Curtin\u2019s School of Molecular and Life Sciences<\/a>, said artificial water points were a key reason cane toads have been able to survive and spread through otherwise dry landscapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cCane toads depend on access to water during the dry season; a single water point can support hundreds of toads through the dry season,\u201d Dr Dunlop said. The team investigated how well cane toads could jump or climb to reach water by running controlled experiments with fences and cattle troughs of different heights and materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They found more than 99 per cent could not clear barriers higher than 51cm and smooth, rounded concrete troughs were far harder for toads to access than plastic designs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any solid fencing materials such as sheer tin further reduced the chances of toads getting through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThese animals just aren\u2019t the elite jumpers people sometimes assume, but they are totally reliant on accessing water in the dry season\u201d Dr Dunlop said. Dr Dunlop said changes did not require largescale or expensive farm redevelopment and only needed to be functioning in the dry months of the year when water is not available elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cToad\u2011proofing can be incorporated into the ongoing maintenance and upgrades that many properties already undertake,\u201d Dr Dunlop said. Dr Dunlop said many commercially available cattle troughs already met the recommended height and design requirements while remaining easily accessible for calves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is a rare win-win: with smart design, we can support agriculture and protect native wildlife and biodiversity rich regions, while keeping farms productive at the same time,\u201d Dr Dunlop said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKeeping cane toads out of semi-arid watering points could protect ecosystem services that support pasture health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you stop them breeding and surviving through the dry season, you prevent millions of offspring from spreading across the landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur research shows that it is quite simple to deny them access to those watering points, without affecting cattle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnce barriers reach a certain height and are designed properly, the toads simply can\u2019t get past them and, without access to alternative water, they will dry out and perish in the landscape.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor example, replacing older troughs with slightly taller designs, fixing leaks and overflows, or switching from open dams to tank-fed troughs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n