PROTECTING BOWLING GREEN BAY WETLANDS
WEED SURVEYS THE FIRST STEP TO PROTECTING IMPORTANT WETLANDS
NQ Dry Tropics is spearheading an effort to protect Bowling Green Bay wetlands from the threat of invasive weeds such as Siam weed , cat ’ s claw creeper and pond apple .
Recognised as valuable migratory bird habitat , Bowling Green Bay is one of only five wetland sites in Queensland listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance .
This year staff carried out a series of surveys to determine the extent of weed infestations , develop management plans , and implement strategies to reduce the threat .
Siam weed is recognised as one of the world ’ s most invasive species , and once established can climb to a height of 20 metres to overwhelm native trees . Senior Project Officer
Senior Project Officer Shakira Todd ( foreground ) on the hunt for Siam weed with Burdekin Shire Council Pest Management Officer Brooke Payne .
Senior Project Officer Shakira Todd with ecologist Jim Tait , from consultancy Econcern .
Shakira Todd conducted aerial surveys for the weed in partnership with Burdekin Shire Council .
Focusing on creeks , rivers and wetlands around Giru , the survey identified several infestation sites across 828 hectares , including the Haughton River system and Wongaloo Conservation Park .
Based on the surveys , the council has been tackling the Siam weed with herbicide , and its staff will continue working with NQ Dry Tropics , industry stakeholders , and local landholders to manage the threat .
Ms Todd also joined ecologist Jim Tait , from consultancy Econcern , on a survey of Palm Creek and St Margarets Creek to assess the extent of cat ’ s claw creeper infestations .
The woody vine — classed as a Weed of National Significance — has devastated areas of bushland in other parts of the state by strangling tree trunks and smothering tree canopies until they collapse .
It was found to be confined to a small area close to a previouslycontrolled infestation , and remediation measures have included physically removing plants , chemical control and cut stumping , and foliar spraying regrowth .
Wetlands , Waterways and Coasts Team Leader Scott Fry also joined Ms Todd and Hinchinbrook Shire Council Natural Resource Management Officer Matt Buckman on a two-day aerial survey for pond apple , covering more than 600 kilometres of creek lines .
Ms Todd said pond apple could be spread on ocean currents or by feral pigs , and once established formed dense thickets that impacted mangrove ecosystems and important fish habitat .
She said the weed was well established in other parts of the State , and although it was yet to be spotted locally , it was important to identify and tackle infestations before they got out of control .
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