Weeds Management
Weeds are one of the most serious threats to Australia's environment and primary production. Nationally pest plants continue to invade the land with exotic species accounting for about 15 per cent of flora. About one-quarter of them are either serious environmental weeds or have the potential to be serious weeds. Almost all of Australia's native vegetation has been, or could be, affected by weeds. Those affects could include changes to the structure, species composition, fire frequency and abundance of native ecosystems.
Weeds reduce farm and forest productivity, displace native species and contribute to land degradation. The cost of weeds to agricultural industries is estimated at about $4 billion a year. The cost of weeds to the environment is difficult to calculate but could be greater than the estimated cost to agricultural industries.
To combat weeds the Australian Government developed the Australian Weeds Strategy (formerly the National Weeds Strategy). Under the strategy, 20 of Australia's most significant weed species were listed as Weeds of National Significance.
The Australian Government has committed $15.3 million over four years, from 2008-09 to 2011-12, to establish an Australian Weeds Research Centre. This will be the centrepiece of a new comprehensive National Weeds Research and Productivity program that will reduce the impact of invasive plants on farm and forestry productivity and also on biodiversity.
For more information contact the weeds contact officer
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