THE ISSUE
Buffel grass is not a declared weed in the NT despite government recognition that its invasion results in increased risk of fire and flooding, widespread ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and species decline in arid and semi-arid areas.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Introduction to the NT
Buffel grass is native to Africa, India and Asia.
At scale, buffel grass was deliberately planted by the Northern Territory Government’s soil conservation scientists, the CSIRO and pastoralists in the 1960’s and 1970’s as a pasture grass for cattle. It was also used as a dust suppressant to restore lands that had ...
THE ISSUE
Buffel grass is not a declared weed in the NT despite government recognition that its invasion results in increased risk of fire and flooding, widespread ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and species decline in arid and semi-arid areas.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Introduction to the NT
Buffel grass is native to Africa, India and Asia.
At scale, buffel grass was deliberately planted by the Northern Territory Government’s soil conservation scientists, the CSIRO and pastoralists in the 1960’s and 1970’s as a pasture grass for cattle. It was also used as a dust suppressant to restore lands that had been seriously degraded by overstocking and other poor land management practices.
Impacts
Buffel grass quickly covers the ground layer, displacing many native grasses and other small plants.
It’s rapid regrowth and high fuel load increases the intensity, frequency and extent of fires which destroys top layer shrubs and trees.
Growth in waterholes, rivers and floodplains changes surface water flow, damages aquatic ecosystems8, and can increase the risk of flooding2.6.
Buffel grass adversely affects population numbers, habitat quality and geographic distribution of listed threatened species and ecological communities3.
Buffel grass is a major threat to culture9.
Threat recognition
Buffel grass invasion was nationally recognised as a key threatening process under the Federal Environment and Protection Act in 20144.
The NT government recognises that buffel grass is highly invasive and has devastating impacts on biodiversity6. However, it is prized by many pastoralists, some of whom continue to plant it (note NT pastoralism contributes less than 1.4% to the NT GDP7).
Weed Declaration
The Federal Threated Species Scientific Committee has advised all States and Territories to declare buffel grass a weed3 as a key threat mitigation action, but so far only South Australia has done so.
In the NT weeds are declared by the Minister for Environment under the Weeds Management Act 2001.
A declaration may classify a plant according to any of the following purposes:
(a) it is necessary to eradicate the plant;
(b) it is necessary to prevent the growing and spreading of the plant;
(c) it is necessary to prevent the introduction of the plant into the Territory or a part of the Territory;
(d) it is necessary to prevent the plant being spread by the actions of persons.
Gamba grass in the Top End is classified as A/B. Buffel grass needs
the same strong classification to be properly managed:
Class A – to areas of particular ecological or cultural significance or areas with little or no buffel grass
Class B – to apply to areas with significant established
populations of buffel grass
Class B would create some basic rules for management across all types of land tenures. Obligations would be negotiated during the development of a buffel grass management plan which includes consultations with all stakeholders.
ACTION REQUEST
Declare Cenchrus ciliaris, C. pennisetiformis and any new varieties or strains of buffel grass class A/B weed.
REFERENCES
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