Background information

• Decide on the scale (consider uniformity and size of the region).
• A stock-take of all weeds naturalised in the region including their current distributions. This needs to include both alien plant species and invasive native plant species.
• Climate change projections for the region
• Legislative framework applicable to the region
• Sharing of data and experience of weed management with neighbouring regions
• Consider bringing in weed specialists to workshop key weeds species and help develop your weed management plan.

Risk assessment of potential threats from outside the region

• Plant species in neighbouring areas that represent a potential threat to the region (quarantine species) based on likely trajectories with climate change
• Consult species distribution models as well as consider potential for weed dispersal from human adaptation responses to climate change
• Declared or noxious weed species
• Specific WoNS related management (see www.weeds.org.au)

Risk assessment of potential threats from inside the region

• Species naturalised in a few locations and that represent a future threat to the region (sleeper species)
• Species grown in horticulture or gardens that represent a future threat to the region (sleeper species)
• Species, while not of local concern, that represent a future threat to neighbouring regions

Weeds of National or State Significance

• Declared or noxious weed species
• Specific WoNS related management (see www.weeds.org.au)

 

• DECISION POINTtoggle

  Think about the climate change trends and projections for your region; which weeds would you expect to invade, proliferate or recede (and in what direction) if your region becomes:

  1. Warmer and drier?
  2. Warmer and wetter?
  3. Suffered from more or less:

  • Flooding?
  • Fire?
  • Wind?
  • Frosts?

  Think about the types of human climate adaptation responses likely to occur in your region. Which weeds would you expect to invade, proliferate or recede (and in what direction) due to these different human responses?

  The answers to these types of questions may help you prioritise the types and locations of weeds to focus future management efforts on.

• DECISION POINTtoggle

  Think about the types of human climate adaptation responses likely to occur in your region. Which weeds would you expect to invade, proliferate or recede (and in what direction) due to these different human responses?

  The answers to these types of questions may help you prioritise the types and locations of weeds to focus future management efforts on.

• ACTION POINTtoggle

  Climate adaptation responses, such as restoration of landscape connectivity, refugia protection and managed relocation, may change weed dispersal pathways in new ways. Incorporate these considerations into your assessment of potential threats.

• DECISION POINTtoggle

  Are you aware of the types of species distribution models you are using, or potentially could use, and the specific limitations associated with them?

  For further information on assessing potential weed threats under climate change, you can download the Weeds and Climate Change Technical Guide (PDF).