Act for the best, prepare for the worst: Defining strategic mesopredator management triggers that safeguard apex predator eradication benefits

Eradicating invasive species is critical for supporting threatened species recovery. In multi-invaded ecosystems, it may only be feasible to remove one or some of the several invasive species that are present. However, this may not deliver the desired benefits, and shifting the complement of threats in some cases can have unexpected adverse consequences. A priori evaluation of potential outcomes, and identifying critical thresholds driven by other invasives, can inform decision making and decision triggers for adaptive management responses to ensure benefits are realised.
We use population viability analyses informed by field data to evaluate the potential outcomes of a single species removal from a multi-invaded ecosystem, Christmas Island. We assess whether 1) removing an invasive apex predator (cats; Felis catus) in isolation would allow a threatened seabird species (Indian Ocean red-tailed tropicbird; Phaethon rubicaudra westralis) to recover; and based on evidence that this bird sp..., We collated demographic and life history parameters for a popuation viability analysis. Many inputs were derived from empirical data sources (using methods approved by the University of Queensland NEWMA animal ethics committee [SBS/481/16], under permits granted by the Australian Government Director of National Parks [CINP_2017_2] and the Government of Western Australia, Department of Lands [Licence: 01506-1992_A9991101]), while others were derived from the literature., , # Data from: **Act for the best, prepare for the worst: Defining strategic mesopredator management triggers that safeguard apex predator eradication benefits**

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.9kd51c5tr](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.9kd51c5tr)

## Description of the data and file structure

These data were derived from empirical data sources (using methods approved by the University of Queensland NEWMA animal ethics committee [SBS/481/16], under permits granted by the Australian Government Director of National Parks [CINP_2017_2] and the Government of Western Australia, Department of Lands [Licence: 01506-1992_A9991101]), while others were derived from the literature.

### Files and variables

#### File: Model\_data.csv

**Description:** Data inputs used for population viability analyses in the article, 'Act for the best, prepare for the worst - Defining strategic mesopredator management triggers that safeguard apex predator eradication benefits'

##### Variables

* Parameter type: The ...