Inhibition of Ageratina riparia (Asteraceae) by native Australian flora and fauna

Authors: Zancola, Brian J.; Hero, Clyde Wild and Jean-Marc

Source: Austral Ecology, Volume 25, Number 5, October 2000 , pp. 563-569(7)

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Abstract:

Abstract

We investigated the influence of native flora and fauna on the establishment and persistence of the exotic weed Ageratina riparia (Asteraceae) in disturbed and regenerating rainforests on the Springbrook plateau of south-eastern Queensland. The height and ground cover of A. riparia was positively associated with light availability beneath the rainforest canopy and negatively associated with forest leaf litter biomass. Regenerating rainforest with the associated increases in litter and decrease in light availability could therefore inhibit the establishment and density of A. riparia. The red-necked pademelon, Thylogale thetis, browsed extensively on A. riparia, but the pattern of browsing was not associated with light availability, forest leaf litter biomass or density of A. riparia. Browsing and incidental damage by T. thetis breaks up the broad stands of A. riparia. The physical damage caused by T. thetis, and the inhibition to establishment and density of A. riparia by native plant species, combine to reduce the environmental threat associated with A. riparia.

Keywords: Ageratina riparia; biocontrol; creeping crofton weed; Eupatorium riparium; hamakua pamakani; herbivory; interaction; mistflower; pademelon; Thylogale thetis

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1442-9993.2000.01087.x

Affiliations: 1: School of Environmental and Applied Sciences, Griffith University, PMB 50, Queensland 9726, Australia (, Email: B.Zuncola@mailbox.gu.edu.au

Publication date: 2000-10-01