ALIEN MAMMALS, IMPACT AND MANAGEMENT IN THE FRENCH SUB-ANTARCTIC ISLANDS

The unique plant and animal communities of the French subantarctic islands have been greatly modified by the introduction of mammals since their discovery in 1552 and 1772. Nine species, wild and domestic, thrive due to a lack of competitors, predators and diseases and despite the small number of founders. Herbivores have induced significant changes to the nature and structure of plant communities and carnivores have modified burrowing petrel Procellaridae populations and species diversity. Introductions are now prohibited. Research programmes have been developed to study the population biology, and measures are being taken to control or eradicate alien species populations. Control programmes are effective for rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus on the Kerguelen archipelago and cattle on Amsterdam Island. Planned programmes deal with cat, mouflon and sheep in the Kerguelens.