Logo image
Reducing weed biomass by burning and grazing can adversely affect frogs
Conference paper   Open access

Reducing weed biomass by burning and grazing can adversely affect frogs

D.S. Bower, L.E. Valentine, A.C. Grice and L. Schwarzkopf
Weed Management Society of SA
Fifteenth Australian weeds conference (Adelaide, South Australia, 24/09/2006–28/09/2006)
2006
pdf
Reducing_weed_biomass.pdfDownloadView
Open Access
url
Conference WebsiteView

Abstract

The impacts of weed management on native biodiversity are often overlooked. Burning and grazing plots of land in isolation and in combination, were used to experimentally reduce the biomass of introduced para grass (Urochloa mutica(Forssk.) T.Q.Nguyen)) in a North Queensland wetland. Frogs were monitored to assess the impact of these management trials. Marbled frogs (Limnodynastes convexius-culus Macleay) declined in response to all management treatments, and their abundance was correlated with vegetation biomass. The abundance of spotted marsh frogs (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Günther) was not related to weed control treatments, but was influenced by the distance of the experimental plot from the nearest woodland. The decline of these frog species in response to management trials indicates that knowledge about impacts of planned weed control is critical, to inform management of taxa that may be affected.

Details

Metrics

213 File views/ downloads
140 Record Views
Logo image