Australian scientists estimate that invasive wild pigs release the emissions equivalent of more than 1 million cars per year via soil disruption as they forage. The study is the first-ever global analysis of the ramifications of invasive species on carbon emissions.
The researchers used models of wild pig population density to predict soil disturbance and resulting carbon emissions from invasive wild pigs. They estimate that wild pigs are uprooting a median area of 36,214 square kilometers per year, an area the size of Taiwan. The resulting soil disturbance causes a median emissions estimate of 4.9 million metric tonnes of carbon-dioxide per year, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of 1.1 million passenger vehicles.
Invasive Wild Pigs = 1 Million Cars Per Year of Carbon Emissions - Cool Green Science
The researchers used models of wild pig population density to predict soil disturbance and resulting carbon emissions from invasive wild pigs. They estimate that wild pigs are uprooting a median area of 36,214 square kilometers per year, an area the size of Taiwan. The resulting soil disturbance causes a median emissions estimate of 4.9 million metric tonnes of carbon-dioxide per year, which is equivalent to the annual emissions of 1.1 million passenger vehicles.
Invasive Wild Pigs = 1 Million Cars Per Year of Carbon Emissions - Cool Green Science