WEED ECOLOGY
Current Research on Management
The Invasion of Native Plant Communities by Chrysanthemoides
monilifera is listed as a Key Threatening Process on Schedule 3 of the Threatened
Species Conservation Act 1995. This, in conjunction with the Weeds
of National Significance (WONS) program, means the control of bitou
bush has become an environmental priority for many coastal councils
and community members as well as the National Parks and Wildlife
Service.
But just how do we control a weed that has already spread to over
80% of the NSW coastline and dominates approximately 39% of NSW
coastal communities?
The current methods of bitou control can be classified into three
main areas of management described below:
1. Intensive management.
This form of management often involves
National Parks and Local Council co-ordination with volunteer
groups. Work is generally carried out by hand (or with small-scale
application
of herbicide) and incorporates both weed removal and native
species re-vegetation. Intensive management is generally focused
on small
areas of vegetation that may gradually move or increase as
native regeneration improves.
Targeted Intensive Management of Bitou
2. Extensive management.
This includes large-scale or aerial
herbicide application. Dilute glyphosate is sprayed over an
entire bitou
infested community during the winter months. Spraying during
winter is intended to leave native species unharmed, while
the bitou is
killed and left in place. Aerial spraying can target large
areas of vegetation at a time, however, it is rarely followed
up with
regeneration.
3. The introduction of bio-control agents.
This involves the
release of exotic insects that naturally prey on bitou
bush. There have
been 6 bio-control agents released on the NSW coast each
with varying success.
 See
CSIRO Site for additional information
Plant invasion is a direct threat to the biodiversity and integrity
of our natural communities. The management of this threat is
therefore of great importance to conservation. Within conservation
reserves, the control of invaders is common practice and sometimes
involves the large scale removal of an invasive species. However,
assessments of ecological outcomes following such management
are rarely carried out despite the increase in disturbance they
are likely to cause.
Click the links below to view the investigations
of the French Lab:
differences
between the impacts of intensive and extensive control measures.
bio-control
agents.
impacts
on seedbanks
impacts
of different herbicides on invertebrates
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