Final answer:
Ecologists are concerned about feral cats in Australia as they can harm native wildlife through predation, competition, disease transmission, and habitat alteration, leading to reduced biodiversity and ecological homogenisation. Feral cats thrive due to a lack of natural predators, making their control difficult and costly. Conservation efforts, supported by legislations and public education, are crucial to managing invasive species.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ecologists are concerned about the impact of feral cats on Australian native animals and birds due to reasons that can be inferred from similar issues caused by introduced species elsewhere. For instance, in New Zealand, various non-native mammals have been detrimental to local fauna, destroying native trees and preying on birds, insects, and endemic reptiles. Likewise, feral cats in Australia pose a significant threat to native species by preying on them, causing disturbances in the natural ecosystem, leading to a decline in biodiversity and contributing to habitat destruction. This results in a general pattern of biotic homogenisation, where unique ecological communities become increasingly similar, undermining the richness of local wildlife.
The issue with invasive species like feral cats is not just their predation but also their competition for resources, disease transmission, and their ability to thrive due to the lack of natural predators, which can lead to them outcompeting native species. Furthermore, once an invasive species establishes itself, efforts to control it are often challenging and costly, with limited success unless informed by a thorough understanding of the species' biology.International trade agreements like CITES, national legislation, and conservation actions are in place to control the spread of invasive species and protect native biodiversity, yet the impact of invasive species continues to be a grave concern for ecologists and conservationists. Educating the public on the value of native biodiversity and the threats posed by invasive species like feral cats is key to supporting conservation efforts and preventing future ecological damage.