Project 1.3 ("modelling and information
integration")
Karina Potter, a CSIRO scientist with experience
in weed research and modelling, is launching a research project to
address weed management issues for the Australian forestry
sector.
A weed can be defined as
any plant that grows where it is not wanted. For the forest
industry, this includes both native and introduced species that
compete with plantations for resources such as light, water and
nutrients.
Without weed management, many plantations would
become commercially unviable. But while the cost of weeds to other
industries has been estimated - $4 billion to agriculture and $58
million to field crops and pastures, – the economic and
environmental costs of weeds to Australian tree growers remains
unknown.
What we do know is that tree growth can’t
be optimised while competing with weeds and that the immediate
benefits of weed removal are greater seeding survival and increased
tree growth rates. The direct costs incurred include those related
to herbicides, equipment and labour.
To address this information shortage, Karina
Potter is launching a project to address weed management issues for
the Australian forestry sector and to quantify the risk weeds pose
to the industry. The first stage in this process is a survey of the
Australian forestry industry to:
·
determine weed species of greatest concern;
· gain an
overview of the control strategies used;
· gather
industry input into the direction of future weed-management
research.
The survey has been designed so it can be
answered by anyone involved in weed management within the
plantation estate and is being circulated via company
representatives. The more participants the better!
The results of this survey will provide an
overview of key weeds of concern and highlight gaps in industry
knowledge regarding weed management. From this information,
recommendations for the direction of future weed research will be
developed and the survey results will be used to gain funding
support to address these issues.
The report is scheduled to be circulated and
placed on the CRC for Forestry web site in February 2008.
Prior to starting this project, Karina was
involved in potential distribution modelling of weeds under current
climate and climate change scenarios with Ensis. She spent two
years at Scion in New Zealand where she worked on insect and weed
biological control; pest impact assessment and the management of
invasive species. During this period, the focus of Karina’s
weed research was butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) and
scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius).
One of Karina’s more recent adventures has
been the arrival of her first child, Max. Hence Karina can be
contacted in her weed research role on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and
Fridays. If you would like to be involved in the weed management
survey or would just like to “talk weeds” please give
Karina a call.
