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Australian Journal of Botany Australian Journal of Botany Society
Southern hemisphere botanical ecosystems
TURNER REVIEW (Open Access)

Unwelcome guests: a selective history of weed introductions to arid and semi-arid Australia

M. H. Friedel https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8350-636X
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Grevillea Drive, Alice Springs, NT 0870, Australia. Email: mhfriedel@outlook.com

B Formerly CSIRO Land and Water, Alice Springs, NT 0870, Australia.

Australian Journal of Botany 68(2) 75-99 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT20030
Submitted: 19 March 2020  Accepted: 12 May 2020   Published: 9 June 2020

Journal compilation © CSIRO 2020 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

Following European settlement of Australia, numerous plant species were deliberately introduced for use in crops, pastures, gardens and horticulture, and others arrived by chance. Many subsequently escaped and became weedy. Of the 54 weed species of natural environments of arid and semi-arid Australia that are considered here, 27 were apparently accidentally introduced, 20 were intentionally introduced and 7 were probably introduced both accidentally and intentionally. Livestock including camels and their harness, and contaminated seed and hay were the most common vectors for accidental introduction. Amongst intentional introductions, rather more ornamental species appear to have invaded successfully than pasture species, but the former generally occupy niche habitats. Recent new introductions are few due to pre-border, border and post-border protections, but many current arid zone weeds continue to spread. Understanding the history of weed invasions can help to guide current and future management by clarifying pathways for introduction.

Additional keywords: camel harness, contaminants of seeds, invasive plants, livestock, vectors.


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