Coastcare Issues
Weeds
Did you know that…
- The cost of weeds to Australia now exceeds $4billion
- More than 2,500 species of introduces plants are now found in the wild, 300 of which have been introduced in the last 25 years.
- Two-thirds of Australia’s coastal weeds originate in backyards, dispersed by water, wind, birds and people.
A weed is defined as “a useless, troublesome or noxious plant” or “a plant growing out of place”. Weeds are a major cause of the decline of Australia’s coastal native plant and animal communities and can cause big problems for our coastal environment.
Coastal heath, wattle and native grasses which naturally hold sand dunes together are some of the plants which have been threatened by weeds contributing to destabilisation of our dune areas.
When a prolific weed takes hold, it is more resilient than many native species. Native plants are choked out and so are the animals and birds that relied on those plants for food. Weeds often form in clumps with patches of bare sand between them. These patches erode quickly forming wind tunnels and ‘blowouts’.
What can I do to help?
Coastcare groups all over Australia are removing weeds and replanting native plants. There are many types of weeds to look for, and the best way of reducing their impact is by removing them as young plants.
African boxthorn, bitou bush, boneseed, lantana, asparagus fern, morning glory, blackberry, privet, camphor laurel, and wandering dew are examples of weeds which are invading our coastal and bushland areas.
While you can make a difference on your own to preserve our coastal areas, you can do an even better job if you’re part of a team. Join a local Coastcare group, the more people that get involved, the more we can achieve.