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Ecological control of weeds on mine sites across Australia

Bellairs, Sean M. (2006). Ecological control of weeds on mine sites across Australia. In: Preston, C., Watts, J.H. and Crossman, N.D. 15th Australian Weeds Conference: Managing Weeds in a Changing Climate, Adelaide, 24-28 September 2006.

Document type: Conference Paper
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IRMA ID 77258851xPUB4
Author Bellairs, Sean M.
Title Ecological control of weeds on mine sites across Australia
Conference Name 15th Australian Weeds Conference: Managing Weeds in a Changing Climate
Conference Location Adelaide
Conference Dates 24-28 September 2006
Conference Publication Title 15th Australian Weed Conference: papers and proceedings
Editor Preston, C.
Watts, J.H.
Crossman, N.D.
Place of Publication Adelaide
Publisher Weed Management Society of South Australia
Publication Year 2006
Volume Number 1
ISBN 0 646 46344 6   (check CDU catalogue  open catalogue search in new window)
Start Page 297
End Page 300
Total Pages 4
Field of Research 0502 - Environmental Science and Management
HERDC Category E1 - Conference Publication (DEST)
Abstract Vegetation development on mine sites is strongly influenced by the initial site conditions, including the media characteristics, moisture availability, propagule sources and competition. Weeds can have a substantial impact on the initial success or failure of vegetation establishment by competing with desired species. In other cases a weedy species may be introduced to provide rapid initial ground cover to control erosion. Controlling weed species with chemical sprays can be expensive and may not beeffective if substantial weed populations and weed seedbanks have developed at the site. However, in many cases it is not necessary and an ecological approach to weed control is more effective. Ecological control of weeds focuses on minimising the build-up of weeds and weed propagules at the mine site. It then relies on establishing a robust vegetation community that minimises excess resource availability and that competes effectively with weeds that do establish. Examples show how resource levels can be controlled so that potential weeds can be used to provide initial cover but are then eliminated from the community. For example, broadleaf weeds may initially build up but can be controlled by the developing community. By following this approach a casecan be made for avoiding chemical control of even a major weed like Parthenium hysterophorus L. On the other hand, lack of control of soil disturbance and excess resource availability can rapidly promote a weed problem. Lessons learnt from control of weeds on mine sites are also relevant to weed control on other disturbed land, such as road verges.
Keyword Establishment
Competition
Fire
Seedbank
Rehabilitation success
Completion criteria
Description for Link Link to published version
URL http://caws.org.au/awc/2006/awc200612971.pdf
 
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Created: Fri, 12 Sep 2008, 08:35:25 CST by Administrator