Asparagus weeds - Weeds Australia

Planning and pre-controlAsset-based protectionAims to reduce the adverse effects of awidespread invasive weed by achievingprotection and restoration outcomes forhighly valued assets. Management withincore infestations may include the protectionof high value assets and site regeneration(i.e. to safeguard an asset under immediateimpact).Asset-based management is targeted atinvasive species when they have becomeso widespread that eradication andcontainment lines would not be feasible.Assets may be defined as biophysical orphysical elements of the environment youare trying to protect (i.e. environmental,primary production or community – humanhealth or cultural). Assets can be prioritisedat the state, regional or sub-regional level(e.g. threatened species populations,endangered ecological communities) or on asite basis. Protecting specific assets requiresusing a staged approach to control wherebyyou work outwards from an asset as opposedto working from outliers to stop spread (seeBitou Bush Management Manual availableat www.weeds.org.au/wons/bitoubush).Site boundaryThreatened speciesEndangered plant communityAsparagus infestationSite management map for asset-based control0 10 0 200MetresFirst stage controlSecond stage controlThird stage control±Note: Obtaining a high degree of support from stakeholders is a prerequisite to the success of anylong-term containment or asset-based protection program.4. Determine the best approach to achieve your goalsDetermine the best asparagus weed control methods for your site by assessing: Need for integrated control methods. Often the most successful and cost-effective approach tocontrolling weeds is to combine or integrate several control methods over time (termed ‘integratedweed management’). A variety of methods can be used to target vulnerable aspects of a weed,its lifecycle or its environment. For example, mature plants may be treated with herbicide, whilesubsequent seedling germination may be controlled by hand pulling. Integrated control can:• reduce the impact of control on the surrounding vegetation (see Iluka Nature Reserve case studyon page 93),36