Potential for invasive mammalian herbivore control to result in measurable carbon gains
Invasive mammalian herbivores (e.g. deer, feral goats and brushtail possums; hereafter ‘herbivores’) are widespread throughout New Zealand and their control is important for conservation. In addition to known biodiversity benefits, it has recently been suggested that herbivore control could lead to measureable carbon gains when aggregated across a large area of conservation land. However, a significant amount of uncertainty exists regarding the potential effects of herbivore control on carbon, and the practicalities of successfully implementing such projects.