Flora - Weeds

The invasion of wetlands by exotic species is a major threat to wetland values. Many plants are declared weeds in Queensland and/or Weeds of National Significance. Many of the weeds declared under the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 in Queensland are also wetland plants.

Many wetland weeds have been deliberately introduced for agriculture or domestic gardens and aquariums, but have escaped, invading waterways and other wetlands. Heavy infestations by weeds can affect wetlands by disrupting natural flood regime interfering with irrigation infrastructure and destroying wildlife habitats, fishing grounds and visual amenities.

Quick facts

Hymenachne

grass was introduced to Australia from South America and has become an unwanted weed in stream banks, high conservation value natural wetlands, irrigation ditches, low lying sugarcane and fish habitats in Queensland.

Hymenachne can increase flooding by reducing the flow capacity of the drainage networks.