Enhancing Biodiversity Hotspots Along Western Queensland Stock ...

Plate 64. Aboriginal well (Photo: B. Walsh).
Pegleg Reserve on the stock route north of Mitchell is located in what is broadly
known as woma (Aspidites ramsayi) habitat. This reserve warrants a closer survey to
determine the presence of this priority species and possibly others.
Parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus) (Plate 65) is now well established
along the Maranoa River and its tributaries north of Mitchell. As it has vigorous
growth, it can quickly colonise grasslands and woodlands and out compete native
species, changing the structure of the habitat. Its ability to reproduce in 28 days,
proliferation of seed (15,000 per plant), and spread by flowing water, animals and
machinery, makes it one of the biggest threats to the current and future management
of the stock routes and their surround (Chamberlain and Gittens, 2004).
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