Question

A specific plant species was introduced into Australia in 1920 and later it became invasive spreading over millions of hectares of rangeland.

1. Name the plant that was introduced into Australia and mention the reason for its uncontrollable growth.
2. State how its spread was eventually brought under control.

Answer 1

1. The introduction of the prickly pear cactus to Australia in the early 1920s led to its fast expansion across millions of hectares of rangeland due to a lack of natural predators.
2. The invasive prickly pear cactus was controlled by introducing a cactus-feeding predator (a moth) from its natural habitat.