CSP looks at the physiological and ecological factors that drive the potential for this highly destructive species to invade landscapes across the U.S.
A group of researchers that included three CSP scientists recently published a paper in PLoS ONE entitled, “Modeling and Mapping the Probability of Occurrence of Invasive Wild Pigs across the Contiguous United States.” The paper presents the methodology and results of a study that modeled wild pig distributions to better understand the factors that drive their invasive potential. A highly successful invasive species, wild pigs — also known as feral pigs or swine — are disease vectors that not only cause costly agricultural damage but also threaten native plant and animal communities.
To estimate the likelihood of wild pig occurrence at a given location, the team examined the environmental characteristics of sites across the country where the animals have been documented. Their results suggest that pig distribution was most strongly limited by two factors: cold temperatures and the availability of water. The study also indicates that pigs are most likely to live in areas with complex habitat, which offer easy access to water, food resources, and cover.
According to the paper’s lead investigator, Dr. Meredith McClure, this approach can be used to guide not only future studies of this widespread, highly destructive species but also efforts to control them. This work also demonstrates a useful methodology for understanding the ecological drivers of other “generalist” invasive species — those that can thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions and make use of a variety of different resources.
Click here to access maps and a link to the study.