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The Weed alert network is a group of people with botanical skills who have the opportunity to participate in fortuitous weed surveillance. Tasmania's weed alert network was established in 1999 in order to increase the chances of finding newly introduced or recently established weed species. Early detection is vital because it reduces the likelihood of small, isolated populations expanding to degrade Tasmania's precious natural resources and primary production capacity. The Weed Alert Network is therefore vital in the prevention of future weed problems in the state. The weed alert network consists of approx. 80 members, which is coordinated by the weed alert taskforce, a working group of the Tasmanian Weed Management Committee. Scientific risk assessment procedures are used to make these assessments of whether a weed alert will be issued to publicise the plant and the eradication program that applies to it. In the event of a new incursion, a weed risk assessment is performed. If the new incursion is identified as a significant threat, a weed incursion response is initiated. This includes the production of a weed alert bulletin which is distributed to members in order to publicise the weed and so increase the chances of location further occurrences. The number of weed alerts provides an indication of the amount of new weed incursions into Tasmania.
Small Infestations of the following plants have been found within the last five years in Tasmania. Whilst all known infestations have been or are being addressed, the weed alert network has been asked to keep an eye open for, and to report, further occurrences. Weed alerts in Tasmania Caption: The highlighted species are those that are adversely impacting biodiversity values Weed alert species Year issued Impact Alligator weed
(Alternanthera philoxeroides) 1999 Aquatic and riparian biodiversity, agriculture Tumbleweed
(Amaranthus albus) 1999 Biodiversity/agricultural production Spiny amaranth
1999 Agricultural production Kochia
(Bassia scoparia) 1999 Agricultural production Dodder
(Cuscuta suaveolens) 1999 Agricultural production Nut grass
(Cyperus rotundus) 1999 Agricultural production, horticulture Oxygen weed
2000 Biodiversity/inland waters/agricultural production Chilean needle grass
(Nassella neesiana) 2000 Agricultural production, biodiversity Three flowered nightshade
(Solanum triflorum) 2000 Agriculture, horticulture, biodiversity Espartillo
2001 Biodiversity/agricultural production Common heliotrope
(Heliotropium europaeum) 2001 Agricultural production Mouse ear hawkweed
(Hieracium pilosella) 2001 Biodiversity/agricultural production Creeping yellow cress
(Rorippa sylvestris) 2001 Horticulture Source: DPIWE Web site 09/08/2001 2001 and Cindy Hanson pers. comm., Weed Plan Education Officer, DPIWE. Note the Weed Alert issue date relates to when the weed alert bulletins were produced and distributed. State of the Environment - Tasmanian Indicator. |
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