May2012_Queensland to manage new Weeds of National Significance
All of the new WoNS weeds have invaded Queensland to varying degrees and Chief Biosecurity Officer, Dr Jim Thompson, said that by adding these weeds to the WoNS list they would be managed under a nationally-coordinated strategy to restrict their spread and reduce the impact of current infestations.
“National coordination ensures that on-the-ground activities and research is focused on the priority weeds and a single approach to building community capacity to assist in fighting the spread of weeds is adopted,” he said.
“Queensland will lead the national strategy development, documentation of best practice management, national mapping and national coordination of activities for three of these weeds – gamba grass, cat’s claw creeper and Madeira vine.”
Gamba grass is a highly invasive weed with infestations present in Cape York, coastal north Queensland and other areas of tropical savannah of Northern Australia. Infestations increase fire intensity up to eight-fold and cause a decline in the diversity and abundance of native wildlife.
Cat’s claw creeper and Madeira vine were both introduced as garden plants and have spread throughout the coastal regions throughout eastern Australia.
These weeds cause serious impacts to rainforest areas and the vegetation along rivers and creek lines. In particular, the weight of the Madeira vines can destroy adult native trees and understorey plants, devastating natural habitat and leading to erosion and water quality issues.
“Our local coordinators have already drafted weed management guides for these WoNS weeds and are currently gathering information from key stakeholders in affected areas of Australia as they develop national management strategies for the species,” Dr Thompson said.
“Drafts of these national strategies will be available for public comment from mid-May.”
The additional weeds which have been added to the WoNS list are:
· African boxthorn
· asparagus weeds
· bellyache bush
· brooms
· cat’s claw creeper
· fireweed
· gamba grass
· Madeira vine
· opuntioid cacti
· sagittaria
· silverleaf nightshade
· water hyacinth.
For more information on Weeds of National Significance visit www.biosecurity.qld.gov.au or http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/index.html or call 13 25 23.
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