Ranking weeds
NSW has 1380 naturalised plant species, many of which pose a significant threat to biodiversity. A report on the impact of weeds on threatened biodiversity in NSW identified 127 weeds threatening 204 species. The number of weeds impacting on threatened biodiversity in each of the CMAs ranged from 101 in the Sydney Metropolitan CMA to 25 in the Lower Murray-Darling, as shown below. Prioritising weeds present in a region on the basis of the level of threat they pose in each CMA will help direct control programs to ensure that biodiversity outcomes are maximised.
Number of weed species in each Catchment Management Authority of NSW*
| CMA | Number of weeds species present | Number of weeds threatening biodiversity |
|---|
| Border Rivers-Gwydir | 427 | 63 |
| Central West | 502 | 59 |
| Hawkesbury-Nepean | 733 | 98 |
| Hunter-Central Rivers | 580 | 96 |
| Lachlan | 447 | 57 |
| Lower Murray-Darling | 187 | 25 |
| Murray | 439 | 55 |
| Murrumbidgee | 531 | 67 |
| Namoi | 475 | 72 |
| Northern Rivers | 627 | 100 |
| Southern Rivers | 577 | 98 |
| Sydney Metropolitan | 758 | 101 |
| Western | 242 | 29 |
* Adapted from Coutts-Smith and Downey (2006), Impact of weeds on threatened biodiversity in New South Wales. View report.
How was this be done?
For each CMA, a dataset of widespread weeds has been collated using information from existing priorities identified in a number of documents including, but not limited to:
- key threatening processes
- regional weed strategies and pest management plans
- priority action statements (PAS)
- impact of weeds on threatened biodiversity in New South Wales (Coutts-Smith and Downey 2006).
Each weed was then allocated a high, medium or low priority at workshops which were held in each CMA. Each CMA has been provided with this information. If you have knowledge in any of the following areas:
- environmental weeds present in your catchment and their distribution
- impact of these weeds on biodiversity in the catchment
- presence and location of high biodiversity sites, e.g. endangered ecological communities, threatened species or high priority vegetation types
and would like to comment on the information collected, please email us with your name, contact details and which CMA you would like information on.
Page last updated: 26 February 2011
