Progress in the eradication of Mikania micrantha from Australia

摘要

Mikania micrantha Kunth (Mikania vine) was first discovered near Mission Beach in north Queensland in 1998 and this species was included in the nationally cost-shared "National Tropical Weeds Eradication Program' when it commenced in late 2003. The progress that is being made towards the eradication of this serious tropical weed is prompting decisions about the type and duration of program resources deployed to survey areas with continuous records of plant absence.Issues still remain in detecting this vine amongst a backdrop of green vines and rainforest trees, the longevity of the seed soil seed bank and preventing the occasional reproductive relapse. Research and field observations have identified that control prior to July each year should prevent seed production, but canopy disturbance from cyclones increases emergence and growth rates.