Management of woody weeds in the Australian rangelands: a bioeconomic approach

Abstract

The encroachment of woody weeds within Australian rangeland systems poses a significant threat to the 12 billion dollar Australian grazing industry. Woody weeds reduce stock carrying capacities, increase mustering effort, impede cattle from accessing waterways, and some species poison livestock. Graziers are faced with the arduous task of weighing up the costs and benefits of weed management strategies in these vast, remote, heterogeneous landscapes with low economic returns and limited available resources. This is further complicated by the episodic recruitment of woody weeds in response to climate. Moreover, the decision making process is made even more difficult with the complexities of multispecies infestations. This analysis provides important information which can assist weed managers in deciding which strategies to adopt for woody weed infestations. To date ecological population and economic optimisation models have not been combined to establish integrated weed management (IWM) policies for woody weeds within rangeland grazing systems. The woody-weed decision model presented in this research derives such polices while capturing key ecological processes and maintaining economic robustness.