Assessment of current weed control methods relevant to the management of the biodiversity of Australian rangelands

The Australian rangelands contain extensive and often dense populations of a wide variety of weed species. An array of techniques is available for effectively controlling many of these. To achieve long-term weed control, weeds should be targeted objectively and the dependence on the use of single treatments such as herbicides and machinery reduced, with greater adoption of integrated methods. The combination of methods will differ if the primary objective within the rangelands is to restore and maintain biodiversity or to improve forage production for domestic and native animals. Revegetation of sites and exclusion of herbivores from weed treated areas is important in establishing species that will compete with invasive weeds. Due to rangelands being sparsely populated, the necessary equipment, skills and finances to use appropriate control options on extensive weed infestations are often lacking, with landholders requiring the assistance of local, state and federal authorities to assist in managing weeds.