1. 1 Determination of the biodiversity at risk from lantana invasion Pest Management Unit, Parks and Wildlife Division, Department of Environment and Climate Change, PO Box 1967, Hurstville, New South Wales 1481, Australia. Pete Turner and Paul Downey

2. 2 given: lantana is widespread control is not possible across entire range and control does not necessarily lead to biodiversity conservation managing lantana for biodiversity

3. 3 given: lantana is widespread control is not possible across entire range and control does not necessarily lead to biodiversity conservation to get the maximum benefit from our control programs aimed at protecting biodiversity, we need to undertake control where the benefits to biodiversity would be the greatest managing lantana for biodiversity

4. 4 given: lantana is widespread control is not possible across entire range and control does not necessarily lead to biodiversity conservation to get the maximum benefit from our control programs aimed at protecting biodiversity, we need to undertake control where the benefits to biodiversity would be the greatest this requires information on the biodiversity at risk and site information managing lantana for biodiversity

5. 5 Impacts of weeds on threatened biodiversity in NSW  lantana threatens 10% of all listed species in NSW  the most commonly recorded weed threat key publications to determine biodiversity at risk

6. 6 Impacts of weeds on threatened biodiversity in NSW  lantana threatens 10% of all listed species in NSW  the most commonly recorded weed threat Weed Impacts to Native Species (WINS) assessment process  Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan key publications to determine biodiversity at risk

7. 7 background and overview of NSW Bitou Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) background and overview of NSW Bitou Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) how the Bitou TAP is being applied nationally for lantana how the Bitou TAP is being applied nationally for lantana identification of biodiversity at risk (round table) identification of biodiversity at risk (round table) mapping and site information mapping and site information background and overview of NSW Bitou Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) background and overview of NSW Bitou Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) how the Bitou TAP is being applied nationally for lantana how the Bitou TAP is being applied nationally for lantana identification of biodiversity at risk (round table) identification of biodiversity at risk (round table) mapping and site information mapping and site information talk outline

8. 8 the bitou bush experience in NSW (Chrysanthemoides monilifera)

9. 9 1. Bitou TAP positively received 2. NHT funding secured to implement the Bitou TAP [ $1.6M over 3 years for implementation] support for the Bitou Threat Abatement Plan (TAP)

10. 10 1. Bitou TAP positively received 2. NHT funding secured to implement the Bitou TAP [ $1.6M over 3 years for implementation] 3. Defeating the Weeds Menace funding secured to develop and implement a national lantana strategy based on the Bitou TAP support for the Bitou Threat Abatement Plan (TAP)

11. 11 Lantana and bitou invasion listed as a key threatening process in NSW TAP Objective: abate, ameliorate or eliminate the threat posed by the KTP to threatened biodiversity [ listing process outlined under the TSC Act ] Key Threatening Process in NSW

12. 12 Lantana and bitou invasion listed as a key threatening process in NSW TAP Objective: abate, ameliorate or eliminate the threat posed by the KTP to threatened biodiversity Question: what is the biodiversity threatened? [ listing process outlined under the TSC Act ] Key Threatening Process in NSW

13. 13 Sources in Number of chronological plant species order at risk in NSW KTP nomination 3 National Strategy (WONS) 6 Draft TAP 63 Final TAP 158 KTP = key threatening processTAP = threat abatement plan species threatened by bitou bush bitou bush TAP

14. 14 Weed Impacts to Native Species (WINS) assessment process: 1 literature + research/unpublished data 2workshops involving people working with bitou bush or native species 3 draft list of species circulated and reviewed 4 model final list of species bitou bush TAP stage

15. 15 Approximately 65% are not listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. However, examination of species at risk other than plants has not been undertaken to the same extent (ie. for animals). bitou bush TAP

16. 16 Applying the TAP process for lantana nationally

17. 17 a plan for biodiversity conservation control is undertaken where the benefits to biodiversity are the greatest by knowing the species at risk control techniques and recovery actions can be tailored monitor the outcomes of control and adapt management as needed limit detrimental effects to native species following control prevent re-infestation or weed substitution

18. 18 assessing the biodiversity at risk: applying the WINS assessment process to lantana

19. 19 Weed Impacts to Native Species (WINS) assessment process: 1 literature + research/unpublished data 2workshops involving people working with lantana or native species (across lantana’s range) 3 draft list of species circulated and reviewed 4 final list of species or communities ranked determining biodiversity at risk stage

20. 20 Number of plant speciesanimal species Yearat riskat risk 2002 20 2003 24 2004 32 2005 45 2 2005 * 160 21 2006 # 165 23 species threatened by lantana (2006) biodiversity at risk * trial of the WINS approach from 2 workshops only (Lismore and Brisbane) # this assessment was of the NSW Threatened Species Act only (see Coutts-Smith & Downey 2006) Stage 1 of WINS assessment:

21. 21 Workshops discussion on all biodiversity potentially at risk reasons why at risk develop interim list of species determining the impacts across NSW & Qld Stage 2 of WINS assessment:

22. 22 Workshop locations determining the impacts across NSW & Qld Distribution of lantana within NSW and Qld as well as within Natural Resource Management Bodies (or Catchment Management Authorities)

23. 23 Aim to compile: a list of species affected by lantanaa list of species affected by lantana justification for inclusion of the species at risk using standard codes or termsjustification for inclusion of the species at risk using standard codes or terms sources of the informationsources of the information vegetation type associated with each speciesvegetation type associated with each species Stage 2 of WINS assessment: today’s workshop

24. 24 NP The native species is not present in infested areas of that species’ typical vegetation community or range. This can be determined by comparing infested and un-infested sites, as well as anecdotal or observational data about declines following invasion. D There is clear evidence that the weed displaces the native species. For example, the native occurs at lower than ‘normal’ densities in invaded sites, but is not totally out-competed or excluded. OCS Suppresses the native species by reducing individual’s vigour or reproductive output. RP Recruitment is prevented. ie. adult population is at 'normal' or 'near-normal’ density, but no or few juveniles are present. CAR The native species is considered at risk, but more information is needed to determine the level of risk. justification terms and codes Negative impacts:

25. 25 AH+ There is clear evidence that the weed provides an additional habitat for the native species. For example, the native species occurs at higher than ‘normal’ densities in invaded sites. P+ The weed promotes the native species by increasing individual’s vigour or reproductive output through such things as increased resources, providing food for animals or changes to soil characteristics. justification terms and codes Positive impacts:

26. 26 AH+ There is clear evidence that the weed provides an additional habitat for the native species. For example, the native species occurs at higher than ‘normal’ densities in invaded sites. P+ The weed promotes the native species by increasing individual’s vigour or reproductive output through such things as increased resources, providing food for animals or changes to soil characteristics. N Animals have switched to utilising the weed as a result of native vegetation being replaced by lantana, but there has been no change in their overall density or condition. justification terms and codes Positive impacts: Neutral:

27. 27 verifying and finalising the biodiversity at risk what’s next

28. 28 revise interim list (stage 3 of the WINS) - interim list will be placed on the web site for comment and revision - revise and finalise list of species at risk determining the biodiversity at risk

29. 29 knowing the biodiversity at risk is only half the management problem: selecting sites for control

30. 30 information needed to rank sites What we need to select sites: list of sites site attributes maps process to rank sites for control

31. 31

32. 32 1effectiveness of control at site (is control possible and effective) 2actual impact (degree of impact posed to native species) 3condition 1 of the species (popn vs whole range) 2 other threats present ranking sites: site selection process from Bitou TAP

33. 33 draft plan available by the end of the year monitoring guidelines to be developed as part of the project some of the priority sites will receive initial funding (in 2008/09 - $360K) future

34. 34 Refer to our web-site for further information on WINS system and the development of the lantana plan Go to: http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Lantan a_threat_to_biodiversity Email: lantana.plan@environment.nsw.gov.au further information