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Weed invasions in wetlands of Australia's Top End: reasons and solutions

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Abstract

Weed invasions are an increasing threat to the extensive wetlands of the Northern Territory's wet-dry tropics. Although the conservation value of these wetlands is in some ways undisputed, it is evident from the Government's multiple land use policy that it is also misunderstood. This policy aims to maximise economic returns from wetlands while protecting their ecological integrity at a time when ecological and economic costs associated with weeds are, at least in the short term, set to worsen. The underlying reasons behind wetland loss and degradation in Australia parallel those identified in Mediterranean Europe where there was antipathy from bureaucracies toward science and ecology. Several case studies from the Northern Territory explore how ecological, anthropogenic, political and economic factors contribute to weed problems. Caution is necessary when translating experience from agricultural weeds to environmental weeds. Managers have not always heeded the advice of specialists and practitioners, whose understanding of the ecological basis to weed invasions is not in as parlous a state as sometimes thought. Even when faced with sound information from which to manage, it was non-ecological reasons that slowed down or prevented effective weed control. If the floristic identity and diversity of Australia's natural wetlands is to be retained, then weeds need serious and immediate attention. Weed impacts progress beyond loss of wetland habitat and biodiversity to regional changes in landscape processes. We advocate that governments and industry recognise and address the underlying non-ecological reasons that exacerbate weed problems and set priorities to fund relevant practical studies and control programs that enable inventive weed management. Cooperation between land users, custodians and the wider community can help to overcome bureaucratic obstacles and enable judicious weed control that contributes effectively to wetland protection.

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Author notes

  1. N. Rea

    Present address: Mulga, Data Services, Palmerston Northern Territory, PO Box 567, 0831, Australia

  2. M.J. Storrs

    Present address: Northern Land Council, PO Box 42921, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811, Australia, 0831

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Division of Entomology Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre, PMB 44, Winnellie Northern Territory, 0821, Australia

    N. Rea

  2. Mulga, Data Services, Palmerston Northern Territory, PO Box 567, 0831, Australia

    M.J. Storrs

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Rea, N., Storrs, M. Weed invasions in wetlands of Australia's Top End: reasons and solutions. Wetlands Ecology and Management 7, 47–62 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008425109473

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