Weeds

Weeds represent one of the greatest threats to natural and agricultural values within Australia. They are considered second only to land clearing as a major cause of biodiversity loss and are estimated to cost the Australian economy $4 billion per year.

Weeds compete with indigenous vegetation and can degrade and replace that vegetation and cause the displacement of dependent native fauna.

Weeds in parks

Although there more than 1000 exotic species have been recorded in the parks network, these species vary in their distribution, extent and impact on natural values. Some weeds are found in a broad range of habitats across the state e.g Blackberry while others are restricted to just one or two parks e.g. Orange Hawkweeed in the alps. Weeds that have established in parks are often a result of previous land use or adjacent land use (e.g. garden escapes).

Weed Management

Protecting parks from weeds and pest animals makes up the largest program of natural values management activity undertaken by Parks Victoria (by area and expenditure). 80 -100,000 hectares are treated for weeds each year.

Because of the scale of the problem, a targeted approach is required. Parks Victoria's objectives are:

• To eradicate new weed infestations before they take hold
• To control the spread of weeds that are threatening identified natural values
• And to cooperate with adjacent land managers to control weeds around the park boundary.

Weeds are a problem across the landscape and Parks Victoria works in partnership with public and private landholders, friends groups, volunteers groups, catchment management authorities, and other agencies to control weeds.

Parks Victoria has initiated standardised monitoring of weeds in parks to continue to evaluate the effectiveness of control programs and has established a number of research trials investigating improved methods of control.