Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00195:reg:4:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2022L00195
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 4 (pt 4/8)
Character Range: 51691–55630

structure and ecological integrity of the remaining fragments of habitat.
Weeds of concern within habitat of the Mahogany Glider associated with poor grazing management include Siam Weed (Chromolaena odorata) and Sicklepod (Senna obtusifolia). However, weeds of concern such as Lantana (Lantana camara), and similar disturbance associated weeds, have been observed to considerably transform habitat by reducing native understorey species composition, cover, and tree recruitment, which impacts both food tree and den tree availability (Jackson, 1998; Parsons & Latch, 2006; Table 2). The weeds listed at section 4.2.4, and various others, possess a strong ability to colonise disturbed sites and can be exacerbated through grazing pressure. In the long term, the invasion of these species has the potential to decrease Mahogany Glider habitat integrity on a wide scale.

4.2.4             Weed invasion
Weed invasion poses a significant threat to Mahogany Glider habitat and is likely to be exacerbated by disturbance of either the ground layer or the tree canopy. Many of the weed species listed in Table 2 are associated with grazing disturbances and are already widespread throughout the distribution of the Mahogany Glider. Examples of the impacts include:
    * Vine species such as Matchbox Vine (Entada rheedei) and Elephant Ear Vine (Argyreia nervosa) impact Mahogany Glider habitat by smothering trees, which typically reduces the recruitment of trees beneficial to the glider, expedites the transition to rainforest, and makes the remaining den and food trees increasingly difficult to access.
    * High biomass grasses such as Guinea Grass (Megathyrsus maximus) and Elephant Grass (Cenchrus purpureus) alter the understorey composition by preventing beneficial tree recruitment and altering fire behaviour.
    * Significant cyclones alter the structure of the glider's habitat as the disturbance provides an opportunity for many weed species to outcompete the native vegetation, which impacts the native species recovery and can negatively alter the habitat structure.
Weed management throughout Mahogany Glider habitat is essential in maintaining the viability of habitat for this species.
Table 2 Additional exotic plants of potential concern within the distribution of the Mahogany Glider
Category                                  Scientific name          Common name        Family       Plant type  Ref
Exotic plants                             Thunbergia alata         Orange Thunbergia  Acanthaceae  Vine        a
Thunbergia fragrans                       White Thunbergia         Acanthaceae        Vine         b
Thunbergia grandiflora                    Blue Thunbergia          Acanthaceae        Vine         c
Ageratum houstonianum                     Billygoat Weed           Asteraceae         Herb         a
Chromolaena odorata                       Siam Weed                Asteraceae         Herb         a
Tridax procumbens                         Tridax Daisy             Asteraceae         Herb         a
Allamanda cathartica                      Yellow Allamanda         Apocynaceae        Vine         c
Senna obtusifolia                         Sicklepod                Caesalpiniaceae    Shrub        a
Argyreia nervosa                          Elephant Ear Vine        Convolvulaceae     Vine         d
Ipomoea indica                            Blue Morning Glory       Convolvulaceae     Vine         c
Ipomoea triloba                           Pink Convolvulus         Convolvulaceae     Vine         c
Calopogonium mucunoides                   Calopo                   Fabaceae           Vine         b
Centrosema molle                          Centro                   Fabaceae           Vine         a, c
Clitoria laurifolia                       Butterfly Pea            Fabaceae           Vine         c
Crotalaria goreensis                      Pea Rattlepod            Fabaceae           Herb