Invasion of native plant communities by exotic perennial grasses

As a key threatening process, a number of research priorities have been identified to improve the understanding and management of exotic perennial grasses in native communities. For the NSW Government, the University of Wollongong has developed 5 reports on the invasion of exotic perennial grasses in native communities.

Report structure

To address gaps in the impact of exotic perennial grasses on biodiversity values across native communities, a 3-year project was undertaken in partnership with the University of Wollongong.

Some exotic perennial grasses are more damaging, and these require management to reduce their impacts. This report, in 5 parts, focuses on invasion in threatened grassland and grassy woodland communities to develop tools to assist with prioritisation for management.

The first report provides an overview of the project, detailing the work undertaken and the results across the study area. The remaining 4 parts are dedicated to findings and management techniques for high-risk exotic perennial grasses in specific regions within New South Wales.

Each report includes a list of resources to assist in managing exotic perennial grasses.

Report 1: Abating the threat of exotic perennial grasses in native communities in eastern NSW

This report provides background knowledge on exotic perennial grasses and outlines the following:

  • a useful risk assessment tool to prioritise exotic perennial grasses of concern in native areas and identify knowledge gaps
  • significant new knowledge on levels of invasion by exotic perennial grasses in threatened ecological communities is reported
  • results from a land manager survey
  • a 4-step management process (Identify, Prioritise, Control, Monitor) is put forward as a method to prioritise the most critical species in the native communities in which managers are operating.

This risk assessment allows for the comparison of functionally similar exotic perennial grasses and is a powerful tool to help you prioritise management in your site. This risk assessment is most relevant to grassy ecosystems but may have broader applications for communities across New South Wales. Instructions on how to use the tool are provided on the first page, with an example (Cenchrus ciliaris) also provided.

Reports 2-5: Regional reports

With respect to findings in report 1, the following reports are presented based on 4 main regions across the study area: North Coast, Northern Tablelands and Slopes, Southern Tablelands and Slopes, and the South Coast. Please see report 1 for a map of the 4 regions.

Each regional report provides information on field surveys that identify exotic perennial grass invasion. Field surveys and the Risk Assessment tool are used to suggest priorities for management. We then provide tools to assist with control and a brief guide for monitoring, including resources.

North Coast

This section presents information for exotic perennial grass invasion in native communities within the North Coast Local Land Services region.

Northern Tablelands and Slopes

This section presents information for exotic perennial grass invasion in native communities in the Northern Tablelands and Slopes region of New South Wales, including the Central West, Northern Tablelands and North West Local Land Services regions.

Southern Tablelands and Slopes

This section presents information for exotic perennial grass invasion in native communities in the Southern Tablelands and Slopes region of New South Wales, including the South East, Central Tablelands, Riverina and Murray Local Land Services regions.

South Coast

This section presents information from the coastal region within the South East and Greater Sydney Local Land Services regions.