Lower Murray-Darling CMA Region

Determining biodiversity priorities for the management of widespread weeds in Lower Murray-Darling CMA Region

OEH and NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) worked together with the 13 CMAs to develop regional biodiversity priorities for the management of widespread weeds. The report for the Lower Murray-Darling (LMD) CMA Region (Part F) can be accessed via the DPI weed page. Find out more about this state-wide project.

Within each CMA Region the approach involves three stages:

1. Identify priority widespread weeds and biodiversity at risk
2. Identify sites for the control of priority widespread weeds
3. Undertake control and monitoring at high priority sites.

Stage 1. Identify priority widespread weeds and biodiversity at risk

The priority widespread weeds and biodiversity at risk in each catchment were determined by collating existing information from reports and strategies (e.g. CRC report on the impact of weeds on threatened biodiversity in NSW) and by collecting information from stakeholders with local knowledge of the weeds and/or biodiversity at risk via a series of workshops.

Workshops were held in the LMD CMA region at Broken Hill on 12 November 2008 (combined with Western CMA) and at Buronga on 19 November 2008. At these workshops a list of high priority widespread weeds impacting biodiversity in the LMD CMA region was developed and the biodiversity (ecological communities and vegetation communities) threatened by these weeds was identified. The interim list was reviewed and a final list is provided.

• View the list of high priority widespread weeds (.pdf 14kb) in the LMD CMA region
• View the biodiversity threatened (.xls 17kb) by the high priority widespread weeds in the LMD CMA region

Stage 2. Identify sites for the control of priority widespread weeds

All stakeholders in the LMD CMA Region were invited to nominate areas of high biodiversity value currently under threat from the priority widespread weeds. Information from site nominations was used to rank sites for control to ensure long term conservation outcomes, particularly with respect to the NRC invasive species target. Currently there are no sites in the highest priority category for control in the LMD CMA region so no map of priority sites has been created. A spreadsheet detailing all nominated sites and their ranking has been provided to the LMD CMA and can be updated and added to as site conditions change and new sites are nominated.

How to nominate a site in the LMD CMA Region 

Initial site nominations have closed. If you did not get an opportunity to nominate a site before the due date would still like to, please contact  us. The site nomination process:

• Look at the list of high priority widespread weeds (.pdf 14kb)  and select the relevant ones for your local area
• Select an area where at least one of these weeds is impacting on biodiversity and fill in a nomination form for the site. The site nomination form is available for download in either excel format or pdf format. The excel spreadsheet is most useful for nominating multiple sites while the pdf form may be more useful for use in the field. Please follow the instructions.

Download

• Nomination form in excel (.xls 129kb)
• Nomination form pdf (.pdf 20kb)
• Instructions (.pdf 36kb)

Submit the nomination form by email, post or fax:
Postal Address
Project Officer (CMA Weeds Project)
Pest Management Unit, National Parks and Wildlife Service
NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
PO Box 1967, Hurstville NSW 1481

Fax
ATT: Project Officer (CMA Weeds Project), Pest Management Unit
(02) 9585 6401

Stage 3. Undertake control and monitoring at high priority sites

The development of standard site-specific management plans prior to the commencement of weed control programs at priority sites will help ensure program success and conservation outcomes. Site management plans should be developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and clearly identify and determine the roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders for each stage of the plan. Find out more about taking a staged approach to weed control at high priority sites.  

• Download a site management plan pro-forma for high priority sites (.doc 139kb)
• View a completed example site management plan (.doc 745kb)

Monitoring is an important component of weed control programs to ensure that control is delivering desired outcomes. When the key objective is biodiversity conservation monitoring programs must explicitly assess both the reduction in the weed population and the recovery of biological assets at risk. The monitoring guidelines proposed for use at high priority sites were initially developed for the Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan (TAP). These guidelines have already been successfully adopted for the national Lantana Plan and would be effective for monitoring most weed control programs with the exception of vines and aquatic weeds where other techniques would be required.The bitou bush monitoring manual outlines a three-tiered approach to monitoring with techniques ranging from simple qualitative assessments to robust research studies, allowing managers to adopt the level most suitable to their objectives and desired outcomes, skills and resources:

1. Tier 1: Simple techniques - Mapping of weed and native cover, photo points

2. Tier 2: Advances techniques - Quantifying weed and native abundance with more precision using transects and quadrats

3. Tier 3: Scientific study - Investigation of weed and native response in controlled and uncontrolled areas.

It is envisaged that in most cases, stakeholders will be able to carry out either Tier 1 or Tier 2 monitoring.

Questions

See the list of Frequently Asked Questions or or please contact us. You can also find out more about current project in the Lower Murray-Darling CMA at their website.