We monitor our weed control programs to determine whether control actions have been effective and whether they are meeting our management aims.
Monitoring is the repeated collection of data and analysis of observations (e.g. vegetation density or cover) over a period of time to provide information on any changes that occur. Systematic monitoring and assessment allows us to adapt control programs if required.To determine the effectiveness of invasive weed control, we monitor:
- the response of the weed
- the response of priority plant species, populations and threatened ecological communities
- the response of other native species to the control.
The Monitoring Manual: for bitou bush control and native plant recovery was developed in to assist land managers with effective weed control monitoring. Although the manual was created specifically for bitou bush as part of the Threat Abatement Plan (TAP), the techniques described can be applied to other environmental weeds and native plant species and ecological communities or for other weed TAPs.
The monitoring manual was written in consultation with stakeholders and land managers. It proposes a multi-tier approach to monitoring, where different techniques can be used depending on the species present at the site, and the resources and skills of the land manager. The monitoring manual comprises three tiers: standard, advanced and research-level.
While developed initially for bitou bush, the guidelines, techniques and datasheets are applicable to most environmental weeds, except aquatic and certain vine weeds. The manual is currently being revised to reflect the broad application of these techniques across species and landscapes.