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Sleeper Weeds
Since European settlement, around 2,700 exotic plants have naturalised in Australia and around 16 per cent of these already cause serious problems for agriculture. Left unchecked, others are also likely to become major weeds.
Sensible weed management includes eradication of potential weed species before they become major problems for the environment and for the public and private purse.
Resources are limited, so practical decisions must be made about which species can be eradicated before deciding which weeds should be targeted by governments and landholders for eradication.
‘Sleeper weeds’ are plants from overseas that have established small wild populations but have the potential to spread widely and affect agricultural or natural environments. Huge environmental damage and control cost can be prevented if these weeds are eradicated before they become widespread.
The Bureau of Rural Sciences identified 17 sleeper weeds which could have nationally significant effects on agriculture if they are allowed to spread. They grouped these into categories, with practical recommendations for policy makers on how to get the best results from funds available to manage these weeds.
For nine species, BRS recommends that on-ground eradication efforts are the highest priority. For the remaining eight species, the feasibility of eradication needs to be confirmed by further field surveys.
In 2005, the Australian Weeds Committee endorsed the list of 17 potential sleeper weeds. The nine top priority sleeper weeds have been targeted for attempted early eradication.
The Australian Government, under its Defeating the Weed Menace Program, is investing in practical projects to control Australia's most threatening weeds, including priority sleeper weed species.
Publications
- Some priority agricultural sleeper weeds for eradication (May 2006)
- Science for Decision Makers: Managing the Menace of Agricultural Sleeper Weeds (February 2006)
- Prioritising sleeper weeds for eradication (February 2004)
- Agricultural sleeper weeds in Australia (July 2002)
For more information on weeds see Natural Resource Management