Managing WoNS for better drinking water

摘要

Cat's claw creeper (Macfadyena unguis-cati Gentry) and Madeira vine (Anredera cordifolia Steenis) are ubiquitous weeds found throughout South East Queensland (SEQ).Previous efforts to manage them, including the release of biological control agents from both a government and community perspective have been predicated on the need to conserve native riparian flora and associated ecological communities. This narrower focus, given the lack of an agricultural or a broader natural resource management imperative has resulted in limited allocation of resources to tackle the growing problem.A collaboration between the local NRM group, Healthy Land and Water (HLW) and the regional water utility, Seqwater will see a significant increase in riparian vine weed management focusing on the two Weeds of National Significance (WoNS) vines.The objective is to reduce the density and distribution of the WoNS vines within prioritised catchments. The outcome sought is the preservation of deep rooted native flora which stabilise banks and reduce erosion, filter sediment and nutrients from overland flow, provide competition to other weed tree species and provide shade.The motivation is the preservation of water quality in stream to avoid the increased cost of and pressure on purification systems delivering drinking water to SEQ. Biodiversity conservation is a bonus.The change in reasoning from a pure conservation message to one of economic imperative creates interest within the community. This leads to increased participation and is useful in leveraging additional funding to expand efforts beyond current project boundaries to deliver long term sustainable weeding programs.