Weeds - Phase 1 - Research Highlights

Invasive plants of commercial value

Best practice for making strategic decisions about invasive plants of commercial value

What the report is about

This project critically examines current approaches to weed risk management at the national and state and territory levels and, in particular, their relevance for dealing with contentious commercially valued plants.

Building on the deliberations of a working group and a smaller writing workshop, this research identifies some of the impediments to improved management of contentious plants and develops a possible framework for aiding decision making and management responses in connection with invasive species.

It builds on the currently available frameworks and tools in order to put forward a combination of improved use of existing methods and the incorporation of some additional decision-support tools.

The research acknowledges that invasive but commercially valued species are often inadequately managed; it looks at why, and offers a number of options that might reduce adverse effects while still enabling commercial uses. It also discusses containment of contentious commercially useful plants, describes the challenges associated with this, and suggests ways these might be overcome.

Finally, it outlines research proposals designed to respond to impediments or knowledge gaps that limit our ability to strategically manage contentious plants.

Aims/objectives

This research had two aims: to identify approaches to a more thorough analysis of economic, environmental and social costs and benefits; and to explore effective policy, regulatory and management options for dealing with species that are both invasive and beneficial.

The intention was to provide a foundation for objective, comprehensive and coherent approaches to resolving controversial weed problems.

Methods used

A working group of resource economists, weed ecologists, social scientists and policy experts considered the following:

• frameworks for analysing and assessing economic, environmental and social factors associated with the production, impacts and control of these weeds
• policy options for supporting strategic decisions relating to commercial use of contentious plant species
• containment protocols that might help avoid or minimise costs while supporting benefits in cases where it is decided to permit the commercial exploitation of a species that also presents a risk as a weed
• knowledge gaps and research needs.

Results/key findings

This project concludes that the systems for managing the potential introduction of new species are robust but that the legacy of earlier introductions remains a serious problem. It suggests that existing legislation could be improved or more effectively applied, that there are a number of tools that could support better decision making, and that there are gaps in knowledge that currently impede progress.

Implications for relevant stakeholders for:

• - industry
• - communities
• - policy makers
• - others where relevant

Recommendations

This research outlines better processes for making decisions about contentious invasive plants of commercial value.  It therefore proposes that WRM systems have a clear framework backed by guiding principles and a time frame.