Biodiverse Environmental was engaged to carry out a weed survey for Enegen Field Solutions at a Queensland property, where the landowner reported the potential location of Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus). Parthenium is a fast-dispersing species that colonises disturbed or bare areas, reducing pasture health and posing potential human health threats, and is listed as a Category 3 Invasive Plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
To detect the presence of any additional P. hysterophorus plants on the property, a meander survey was carried out on foot by two Biodiverse Environmental officers. The meander survey targeted high risk areas such as access tracks, work areas, adjacent paddocks, drainage lines, and any low-lying areas favourable to P. hysterophorus growth. Paddock areas which had any recent disturbance, and the area where P. hysterophorus was identified, were also covered extensively during the surveys. No signs of P. hysterophorus plants or seedlings were detected at any of the survey sites confirming that the weed had not been spread.
It was also recommended that site access should be minimised, and avoided where possible, around the point where P. hysterophorus was identified by the landowner, until the second survey in optimal growing conditions could confirm no further P. hysterophorus was present.
