Indicator description

Why is it indicative

What does the data show

Data

Acknowledgment

Indicator description

The number and distribution of Tasmanian weed species listed asf weeds of national significance (WONS).

Why is it indicative

In 1999, a process for determining and ranking significant weeds around Australia resulted in the selection of 20 WONS from a total pool of 3,000. The 20 WONS represent an attempt to strategically identify weeds which pose large present and future threats to primary industries, nature conservation and human and animal welfare over significant areas of Australia. Federal funding has been allocated for the management of WONS where State and national strategies have been developed. The number and distribution of Tasmanian weed species listed as WONS can be tracked through time to ascertain whether they are increasing or decreasing in number and spreading or contracting in their distribution.

What does the data show

• In 2001, six of the 20 weeds of national significance (WONS) were present in Tasmania.
   


• The six species are:
   


1. boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera);
    
2. blackberry (Rubus fruticosus species aggregate);
    
3. bridal creeper (Asparagus asparagoides);
    
4. gorse (Ulex europaeus);
    
5. serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma); and
    
6. willows (Salix spp.).
    

Data

In 2001, six of the 20 weeds of national significance were present in Tasmania, two others are known to have been in the State but are believed to be no longer present.

Weeds of national significance (WONS).

Caption: The highlighted species are those that are present in Tasmania

Common name	Scientific name	Present in Tasmania
Alligator weed	Alternanthera philoxeroides	No - eradicated in 2000
Athel pine	Tamarix aphylla	No
Boneseed	Chrysanthemoides monilifera	Yes
Blackberry	Rubus fruticosus species aggregate	Yes
Bridal creeper	Myrsiphyllum asparagoides	Yes
Cabomba/ fanwort	Cabomba caroliniana	No
Chilean needle grass	Nassella neesiana	No
Gorse	Ulex europaeus	Yes
Hymenachne	Hymenachne amplexicaulis	No
Lantana	Lantana camara	No
Mesquite	Prosopis spp.	No
Mimosa	Mimosa pigra	No
Parkinsonia	Parkinsonia aculeata	No
Parthenium weed	Parthenium hysterophorus	No
Pond apple	Annona glabra	No
Prickly acacia	Acacia nilotica	No
Rubber vine	Cryptostegia grandiflora	No
Salvinia	Salvinia molesta	No
Serrated tussock	Nassella trichotoma	Yes
Willows	Salix spp.	Yes

Species included under Willow (Salix spp.) does not include weeping, pussy or sterile pussy willow.

Source: Weeds of National Significance July 2001.

Acknowledgment

State of the Environment - Tasmanian Indicator.