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The Use Of 1080, A And An Effective Tool For A Socio Scientific Issue

Satisfactory Essays
Achievement Standard 91602
Integrate biological knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue
Ryan Neill
3 credits

Introduction:
The use of 1080, a pesticide using sodium fluoroacetate, is a contentious issue in New Zealand. 1080 is widely considered to be the most effective tool currently available to kill and eliminate pests. However, problems occur as it is such an effective killer. It kills all air breathing species that consume the product. New Zealand is the largest user of biodegradable 1080 poison, using about 80% of the world 's supply.
1080 is considered to be suitable for use as a mammalian pest control in New Zealand as the country has only two native land mammals (bats). When correctly applied, 1080 is very effective at controlling Conservation Land pests. One aerial application can kill 98% of possums and more than 90% of rats in the targeted area. These successful kill percentages provide vulnerable native birds with a crucial breeding window to raise chicks through to fledging, increasing their survival rate. The DOC uses aerially applied 1080 poison across about 440,000 ha of conservation land each year. Both aerial and ground-based application of 1080 poison is also used to control rabbits. By 1960, it had become the main poison used in rabbit control. 1080 is also commonly used in Western Australia to kill feral carnivores, as the compound is naturally occurring in Western Australian flora and the native herbivores and their
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