Current Human Impacts on the Ecosystem

Compared to other ecosystems throughout the world, the Australian Outback has been left relatively unchanged. Moreover, since only 3% of Australia's population actually live in the 70% of the continent that is considered desert, direct human impact is kept to a minimum (Davies 365). Aside from small groups of aboriginal natives, it was not until 1880 that Australia began to become settled by humans. Since then, however, problems brought upon by Europeans still continue to plague the continent. The arrival of the Europeans brought several invasive species that threatened native ones. Today, Australians still continue to deal with large populations of rabbit, cane toad, and fox.

Cane toad

(Image source: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2011/02/22/drying-out-the-cane-toad-invasion/)

Europeans also brought grazing techniques and cattle to Australia. Widespread grazing has led to the destruction of much of the native lands of the desert ecosystem. The loss of vegetation in areas results in further soil erosion (Bickel 220). Grazing is still heavily practiced today which results in the degradation of land.