The sedentary nature and potentially high population density of feral pigs in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area indicates that there may also be a high degree of environmental damage occurring as a result of their foraging activities. The disturbance caused by feral pig rooting (a term used to describe the disturbance of soil while foraging) alters ecological and biological processes which are important for ecosystem functioning. This is of particular concern in rainforest habitat of the Wet Tropics due to the high conservation and biodiversity values of the area.

My project involves reviewing the literature on ecosystem processes in rainforests and the environmental impact of feral pigs.  I will be determining seasonal variations in the soil microhabitat variables of feral pig rooting and assess the interactions of vegetation, soil, leaf litter and macro-invertebrates in response to feral pig rooting.  I will also determine the impacts of feral pig rooting on vegetation, soil, leaf litter and macro-invertebrates after the removal of pigs in the short-term; and the recovery of rainforest habitat after the exclusion of feral pigs for 15 years by an assessment of vegetation, soil, leaf litter, macro-invertebrates and soil seed banks.

This project is part of the Daintree demonstration site.