Southern Rivers CMA Region
Determining biodiversity priorities for the management of widespread weeds in the Southern Rivers CMA Region
OEH, NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the 13 catchment management authorities (CMAs) have developed regional biodiversity priorities for the management of widespread weeds. This page is for the southern rivers (SR) component of the project. The report for the SRCMA Region (Part K) 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 CMA region 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.
Two sets of workshops were held in Moruya, Bega, Cooma, Nowra, Wollongong and Braidwood in September 2007 and April 2008 in conjunction with the development of the SRCMA sub-regional weed strategies. At these workshops, a list of high priority widespread weeds impacting on biodiversity in the SRCMA region was developed and the biodiversity (species, populations, ecological communities) threatened by these weeds was identified. The interim list was reviewed and a final list identified.
Stage 2. Identify sites for the control of priority widespread weeds
All stakeholders in the SRCMA 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.
A map of the high priority sites as of August 2010 for the SRCMA region is provided.
How to nominate a site in Southern Rivers CMA Region
Initial site nominations have closed. If you did not get an opportunity to nominate a site before the due date and would still like to, please contact us.
The site nomination process:
- Look at the list of high priority widespread weeds (.pdf 17kb) 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)
Download Nomination form pdf (.pdf 20kb)
Download the 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 site-specific management plans prior to the commencement of weed control at priority sites will help ensure conservation outcomes. Site management plans should be developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders and clearly identify the roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders at each stage of the plan.
Find out more about taking a staged approach to weed control at high priority sites.
Monitoring is an important component of weed control to ensure that control is delivering desired outcomes. When the key objective is biodiversity conservation, monitoring 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 developed initially for the Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan (TAP). These guidelines have been 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 may 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, 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 stakeholders will be able to carry out either Tier 1 or Tier 2 monitoring in most cases. It is critical to monitor the recovery of native species following weed control to gauge the effectiveness of control and the response of the native biodiversity at risk.
There are few options available to land managers and no standardised way of reporting monitoring data to funding bodies or others (e.g the state to report on the NRC target). To rectify this we are developing a set of statewide monitoring protocols for environmental weeds. The monitoring protocols will be aimed at all stakeholders.
Find out more about the monitoring protocols and how you can be involved.
Questions?
See the list of Frequently Asked Questions or please contact us. View more information about Southern Rivers CMA via their website.
Page last updated: 14 May 2012
