THREAT ABATEMENT ADVICE FOR A KEY THREATENING PROCESS
This material has been developed based on the best available information at the time of development (September 2014).
To provide information updates please email: weeds@environment.gov.au
About this advice
In 2009 a key threatening process (KTP) was listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act): ‘Ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and species decline due to invasion of northern Australia by introduced gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus), para grass (Urochloa mutica), olive hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis), mission grass (Cenchrus polystachios syn. Pennisetum polystachion) and annual mission grass (Cenchrus pedicellatus syn. Pennisetum pedicellatum)’. A threat abatement plan was prepared for this key threatening process in 2012.
This threat abatement advice was prepared by the Department in consultation with key stakeholders to provide guidance at national, state and local levels on activities and research needed to abate the threat.
Download full advice
Introduction
In 2009 a key threatening process (KTP) was listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act): ‘Ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and species decline due to invasion of northern Australia by introduced gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus), para grass (Urochloa mutica), olive hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis), mission grass (Cenchrus polystachios syn. Pennisetum polystachion) and annual mission grass (Cenchrus pedicellatus syn. Pennisetum pedicellatum)’. Gamba and the two mission grasses are weeds of terrestrial habitats while para grass and olive hymenachne have invaded wetlands. All five species are weeds of northern Australia.
These five invasive pasture grasses were imported into northern Australia between the 1880s and the 1980s. Unfortunately, without careful management they can easily escape from pastoral areas into bushland or wetlands and affect the structure and function of environmental assets, including threatened species and ecological communities. By increasing fuel loads, they are capable of causing intense fires which endanger human and animal lives and destroy native vegetation. They can also alter nutrient and water availability for native plants. As a result, invasion of these grasses has lead to ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and biodiversity decline.
The Threat abatement plan to reduce the impacts on northern Australia’s biodiversity by the five listed grasses was released in 2012 as a guiding document designed to minimise the adverse impacts of these five grasses on affected native species and ecological communities. Having a threat abatement plan encourages all relevant government agencies, landholders, industry and community groups to work together to prevent further damage to our environment.
As an extension to the plan, these web pages aim to bring together information to help prevent further damage by these invasive grasses. There are links to documents which provide ideas for practical on-ground abatement activities for local communities, natural resource management groups, landholders or other interested individuals. Also available are broader actions for government agencies, local councils, research organisations, industry bodies or non-government organisations that have been identified as important to minimising the impacts of these five grasses.
Status of the five invasive grasses under state and territory legislation
Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) is listed as a Weed of National Significance and a declared weed under Western Australian, Northern Territory and Queensland legislation.
Para grass (Urochloa mutica) is not a declared weed under any legislation in any jurisdiction.
Olive hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis) is a Weed of National Significance and a declared weed under legislation in all Australian jurisdictions.
Perennial mission grass (Cenchrus polystachios syn. Pennisetum polystachion) is a declared weed under Northern Territory and Western Australian legislation.
Annual mission grass (Cenchrus pedicellatus syn. Pennisetum pedicellatum) is not a declared weed under any legislation in any jurisdiction.
Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) | Annual mission grass (Cenchrus pedicellatus) | Perennial mission grass (Cenchrus polystachios) | Olive hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis) | Para grass (Urochloa mutica) | |
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Western Australia Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 |
Prohibited (s12) |
Permitted (s11) |
Prohibited (s12) |
Prohibited (s12) |
Permitted (s11) |
Northern Territory Weeds Management Act 2001 |
Class A Class B Growth and spread to be controlled |
Not a declared weed |
Class B Growth and spread to be controlled |
Class B Growth and spread to be controlled |
Not a declared weed |
Queensland Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 |
Class 2 Landholders must try to keep their land free of this weed and it is an offence to possess, sell or release without a permit |
Not a declared weed |
Not a declared weed |
Class 2 Landholders must try to keep their land free of this weed and it is an offence to possess, sell or release without a permit |
Not a declared weed |
Status of the five invasive grasses under Commonwealth legislation
‘Ecosystem degradation, habitat loss and species decline due to invasion of northern Australia by introduced gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus), para grass (Urochloa mutica), olive hymenachne (Hymenachne amplexicaulis), mission grass (Pennisetum polystachion) and annual mission grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum)’ is listed as a key threatening process (KTP) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). This KTP meets the criteria stated in section 188(4)(a) and section 188(4)(c) of the EPBC Act and is eligible to be listed as a KTP because:
- it could cause the native species Cycas armstrongii (a cycad) to become eligible for listing as vulnerable under the EPBC Act
- it could adversely affect at least four species that are listed as endangered under the EPBC Act, primarily through altered local fire regimes, degradation of habitat and reduction of food sources. The examples presented in the KTP listing advice are: Lucasium occultum (Diplodactylus occultus, yellow-snouted gecko), Erythrura gouldiae (Gouldian finch), Euploea alcathoe enastri (Gove crow butterfly) and Epthianura crocea tunneyi (yellow chat – Alligator Rivers).
The Threat abatement plan to reduce the impacts on northern Australia’s biodiversity by the five listed grasses was developed in 2012 to address this KTP. This plan provides guidance to minimise the adverse impacts of the five listed grasses on affected native species and ecological communities. The Australian Government environment minister must review the plan before December 2017.
Resources
Title or description | Author | Date | Details |
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The Australian Weeds Strategy – A national strategy for weed management in Australia |
Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council |
2007 |
A framework to establish consistent guidance and identify priorities for weed management across Australia |
Threatened Species Scientific Committee |
2009 |
Advice to the Minister from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee |
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Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities |
2012 |
Priority actions to manage the five species of invasive grasses |
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Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities |
2012 |
Information on each of the five species of invasive grasses |
|
Director of National Parks |
2007 |
The 6th Kakadu Management Plan is being finalised and will be released for public comment in December 2014. |
Title or description | Author | Date | Details |
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Cook GD and Dias L |
2006 |
Turner Review no. 12, Australian Journal of Botany, vol. 54, pp. 601–625 |
|
Exotic grass invasion in the tropical savanna of northern Australia: ecosystem consequences |
Rossiter N, Setterfield S, Douglas M, Hutley L and Cook G |
2004 |
Sindel BM and Johnson SB (eds), Proceedings of the 14th Australian Weeds Conference, Wagga Wagga, NSW, pp. 168–171 |
Friedel MH, Grice AC, Clarkson JR, Ferdinands K and Setterfield SA |
2010 |
Zydenbos SM (ed), Proceedings of the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference, pp. 470–473, New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand |
|
The role of legislation and policy in dealing with contentious plants |
Clarkson JR, Grice AC, Friedel MH, Setterfield, SA and Ferdinands K |
2010 |
Zydenbos SM (ed), Proceedings of the 17th Australasian Weeds Conference, pp. 474–7, New Zealand Plant Protection Society, Christchurch, New Zealand |
Title or description | Author | Date | Details |
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INFFER |
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Asset identification and prioritisation tool |
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Australian Government Department of the Environment |
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The Species of National Environmental Significance Database contains map summaries which provide general information on the distribution of species related to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 Species covered by the database include threatened and migratory species. |
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Australian Government Department of the Environment |
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Recovery plans adopted under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 |
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Threatened species and ecological communities – publications |
Australian Government Department of the Environment |
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