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We asked Phil Moran from Landcare to give us a view on weeds. Read his informative blog here >>
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Cross Country © Andrew Seymore
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BIG Challenge: Weeds
One small garden plant, one giant threat for an eco-system!
Bushland Care Group clearing weeds. Image: NICAWhat are Weeds?
Weeds are introduced plants that become invasive, spread and out-complete native species.
To most people, weeds wouldn’t be seen as a big issue. Even for those of us with a garden it’s not something we tend to think about very often. But weeds are a major threat because they are so quick to spread and stop native plants from supporting and thriving in our unique environment.
- Read the our expert’s blog and join the conversation.
- Understand what can be done about weeds and see who is taking action.
- Submit your photos to help people identify invasive weeds.
Common weeds include:
Lantana:
(Lantana sp) - This introduced plant has escaped into local bushland.
image: Stephanie Haslam, Noosa's Native Plants
Singapore daisy: (Spagneticola trilobata) Without natural predators to keep it in check, it is out-competing native Species.
image: Stephanie Haslam, Noosa's Native Plants
Basket asparagus: (Asparagus aethiopicus)
Birds love the Fruit so these MUST be removed and destroyed.
image: Bee
Corky passion vine: (Passiflora suberosa)
image: Stephanie Haslam, Noosa's Native Plants
Groundsel: (Baccharis halimifolia) Groundsel bush is a serious weed of horticulture, cropping and grazing agricultural industries, forestry.
image: Stephanie Haslam, Noosa's Native Plants
Mother of millions
(Bryophyllum sp.) Remove every part of the Plant - hand-pull seedlings.image: Stephanie Haslam, Noosa's Native Plants
How do weeds become a problem? What are the effects?
Cause Effect Non-native garden plants ‘jump the fence’
Introduced species have no natural enemies here and smother our native plants.
Plant seeds are carried by wind or animals and grow more aggressively than native species.
“Edge effects” can be seen with weeds surrounding many native forests.
Introduced aquarium plants ‘escape’ or get carelessly released by their owners.
Introduced species have no natural enemies here and suffocate our lakes and waterways.
Aquatic weeds drastically change the water body.
Fishing, camping, bushwalking, boating and water activities can all be affected.
A slight change to the water conditions in a river, dam or lake can encourage weeds to grow.
Weeds impact water quality and reduced oxygen levels threaten aquatic life.
Land clearing for agriculture or rural housing creates an open invitation for weeds to take hold.
Culturally significant native plants are threatened unnecessarily.
New roads provide clear pathways for weeds to flourish.
Ratepayers meet the rising costs of maintenance.
Invasive weeds over-power native plants that carry cultural significance to indigenous Australians.
Traditional food sources and new business opportunities surrounding them are lost and physical barriers to the land can be created.
Invasive weeds stop native plants from providing as much food and shelter for local fauna.
Native flora and fauna have evolved together in a balanced ecosystem. Introduction of other species can be catastrophic.
Weeds cost tax-payers a lot of money.
Weed control in national parks and conservation reserves is expensive. Weeds are thought to cost Australian agriculture around $4 billion annually. This covers weed treatment, stock illness, increased transpiration reducing the amount of water available to stock, contamination of crops, and providing a refuge for feral animals.
The Noosa Bushland Care program
The Noosa Bushland Care program aims to build the capacity of the local community to maintain and care for bushland reserves. Some of the reserves are home to wildlife of conservation significance, while others provide vital ecological connectivity for native flora and fauna.
Currently there are 13 groups with approximately 80 active volunteers operating at: Boreen Point, Cranks Creek, Dame Patti Park, Heritage Park, Lake Cooroibah, North Peregian, North Tewantin, Pinnaroo Park, Sunshine Beach, South Peregian, Teewah village, Wallace Park and Weyba Park.
Working bees are held on a weekly or monthly basis and enable volunteers to learn about native bush regeneration and weed control techniques, as well as native plant and animal identification. Gloves, tools and morning tea are provided.”Who’s doing something about it?
These days, local government legislation is far more effective in controlling the problem. Improved land clearing practices and planning controls now make it harder for weeds to take hold and spread in rural residential areas. Better road building and roadside maintenance contracts have also helped limit the threat from weeds.
Groups & Initiatives tackling weeds.
NICA
What LOCAL Native Plant is That?
Connecting Sunshine Coast schools with local plant experts. Schools then make their own Herbariums and other fun projects.Lake Macdonald Catchment Care Group
Projects include finding a biological control agent to combat Cabomba caroliniana, one of our worst aquatic weeds.
Mary River Catchment group
Promoting a common view of a sustainable and productive catchment through Education and Awareness, Planning and assisting interest-sectors to adopt best management practices.
NICA
Bushland Care Facilitation
Acting on behalf of community based organisations to obtain funding for large local projects.
NICA
Clean Up Australia Day
Organises and facilitates this annual event within Noosa Biosphere Reserve.NICA
Girraween Bushland Study Group
Raising awareness of flora, fauna, weed control, fire regimes.NICA
Grasses of Noosa Biosphere (working title)
A full colour A4 book of around 120 grasses, both native and introduced.NICA
Noosa Litter Reduction Program
NICA
Noosa River Stream Bank Rehabilitation at John's Landing (An initiative suggested by the Noosa River Plan)
Protecting and rehabilitating a section of badly degraded Noosa River bank.
NICA
Noosa's Native Plants
A full colour field guide with details on around 500 local plants. The website indexes over 1300 local native plant species with botanical, landscaping and cultural information.NICA
River Education
Providing a 'Ranger' presence on the Noosa River to provide advice to river users, and retrieve stream bank rubbish.
NICA
Seagrass Monitoring
Monitoring the health and condition of seagrass beds in the Noosa River.NICA
Wildlife Carers Education and Training Program
Noosa & District Landcare Group
Aquatic weed awareness program – Mary basin
Developing procedures for biocontrol agent breeding facility and aquatic weed info kits. Reviewing and updating Mary River Aquatic Weed Strategic Action Plan.Noosa & District Landcare Group
Broadacre Revegetation
Oferring a variety of services, using revegetation techniques for large scale sustainable land management projects.Noosa & District Landcare Group
Bushcare
Building the capacity of the local community to maintain and care for bushland reserves. Some of these are home to wildlife of conservation significance including Glossy Black cockatoos at Dame Patti Park and koalas at Weyba Park.Noosa & District Landcare Group
Community Services
Property visits, environmental consultancy, representation on various natural resource management peak bodies, resource centre, free resource material, training and meeting facilities.Noosa & District Landcare Group
Conservation Services
Fee for service work includes: On site Consultancies, Flora/Species Lists, Bushland Regeneration, Riparian Restoration, Revegetation, Weed Removal, Maintenance and Horticultural Training. Sound knowledge and identification of local native plants, able to undertake selective weed removal and with seed collecting techniques.Noosa & District Landcare Group
Environmental restoration
Noosa & District Landcare Group
Lake Cootharaba Nitrogen Envirofund Project
Bringing together local knowledge and scientific expertise to resolve sensitive water quality issues in Noosa River.Noosa & District Landcare Group
Nurseries
Operating two native plant propagation nurseries and one retail outlet. Nursery output is currently is 100,000+ tubestock per year.Noosa & District Landcare Group
Training & Education
Providing information to positively influence the community: Identification of Aquatic Weeds, Identification of native plants and weed species, Bushland regeneration techniques, Horticulture Traineeships, Field Based Demonstrations & Events, Revegetation & Maintenance, Water Quality Testing and Monitoring, Interactive Displays, Hands-on Tree Planting Events, School & University education.Noosa & District Landcare Group
Waterwatch
Participating in water quality monitoring, data collection and community education. In total, there are 29 volunteers collecting data on 38 sites across Noosa's coastal and hinterland subcatchments.
Noosa Parks Association
Botany Group
Studying local native species with a monthly field trip.Noosa Parks Association
Friday Environment Forum
Inviting guest speakers on a range of environmental subjects, with an open discussion with local experts and activists.Noosa Parks Association
Greening Noosa
Focussing on maintaining native bushland on Noosa Spit including dunal areas. -
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