Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002:front:0:p65
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00002
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 188167–191150

programmes, and relevant strategies will be developed to ensure that they are complementary and consistent.

         * Research on existing and potential issues impacting on park values will be considered and supported where it can be used to inform and improve management (Section 7: Research and knowledge management).

         * Comprehensive information on the occurrence of weeds, feral animals and fire and on management inputs and success will be recorded and maintained (and readily accessible) (Section 7: Research and knowledge management).

         * Outsourcing of park weed management and feral control functions within a district, clan estate or specific area of the park to Aboriginal corporations or enterprises will be supported and facilitated where there is capacity to do so (Section 4.3: Bininj/Mungguy training and other opportunities).

Weeds and plant pathogens

Outcome

    * The impact of weeds on park values is minimised

Performance indicator

    * Distribution and abundance of priority weed species

Background

Weeds are one of the most significant threats to the park's natural and cultural values. Although Kakadu currently has a low proportion of weeds, with less than 8 per cent of the 700-plus plant species recorded in the park recognised as weeds (compared with 21 per cent for other national parks in the region), many of the park's landscapes are being significantly impacted by invasive weeds. Many of these weeds were introduced during the pastoral era, while more recently others were introduced both intentionally and accidentally into lease areas within the park.

Weeds compete with native plants, may change the structure of vegetation communities, and impact on food and habitat availability for native animals. Significant impacts on ecosystems and the flora and fauna that they support, particularly waterbirds, could affect Kakadu's World Heritage and Ramsar status.

Some highly invasive weed species such as annual and perennial mission grass occupy large areas of the north-east and central parts of the park and are likely to continue to spread in lowland woodland environments. These species cause dramatic increases in the intensity of fire, and such weed-fuelled high-intensity fires may threaten many natural values. Climate change modelling for the tropical savannas indicates these impacts will worsen under warmer temperatures.

Aquatic grassy weeds such as para grass and olive hymenachne are impacting on hunting areas and fire regimes on the floodplains, and have the potential to invade and alter vast areas if left unchecked. Salvinia is spreading in wetland environments and is now present in the Yellow Water visitor area and adjacent waterways used for recreational fishing. Although mimosa is largely under control due to a huge investment of effort over many years, it remains an ever present threat to floodplain areas. A National Environmental Research Programme project shows that the success of this