14th Queensland Weed Symposium 2017 15/12/2017 Managing buffel grass to promote species richness and facilitate ecosystem recovery (from Grice et al. 2012). Images (clockwise): • Bridled nailtail wallaby, Taunton NP (Sci). (B. Nolan) • Blackwood (Ac. argyrodendron), Nairana NP. (R. Melzer) Melzer R.1 and Melzer A.2 • Brigalow/semi-evergreen vine thicket, 1 Ecological Assessment Unit, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport & Racing, Rockhampton. Carnarvon NP. (T.Brecknell) 2 School of Medical and Applied Science, CQUniversity, Rockhampton. • Delicate mouse (Qld govt) Mazeppa National Park – a sobering example Nairana National Park Remnant blackwood Blackwood communities severely damaged by wildfire and highly vulnerable to future wildfires because of the dense buffel grass. Left burnt 2004; photo - April 2006; Right burnt 2009; photo – Feb 2015. Albinia Conservation Park A decision support tool Foundational concepts: Aust ecosystems evolved in the absence of grazing by domestic stock Negative impacts of grazing are well known Flora & fauna benefited by grazing are well catered for in Qld Purpose must be clear – to achieve an outcome not able to be achieved by other means & benefits must outweigh negative impacts. 1 14th Queensland Weed Symposium 2017 15/12/2017 Albinia Conservation Park – 1km transect Photo point 300-350m Taunton National Park (Scientific) April 2012 April 2015 April 2017 2005 2010 2016 Note: Quadrat 1m; striped pole 2m Brigalow regrowth was severely setback by a winter fire in 2010. Grazing commenced February 2014. 1. Nature of the response in ground layer 2. Duration of the response 3. Recovery of buffel 4. Logistic constraints and economics Control (left) / treatment (right) boundary. Relationship between herbaceous species richness and bare ground (%) in sprayed plots 39 months post spraying, Taunton. Google Earth imagery Pre-treatment 3 weeks post-treatment 18 months post-treatment Google Earth imagery 2.