Pinus radiata in bushland: Assessing the issue in the Green Triangle

Aims

This project aims to:

• Develop use of GIS to identify pine wildlings in remnant vegetation, preferably using satellite imagery;
   
• Quantify the extent of invasion of remnant native vegetation by P.  radiata seedlings (wildlings) in the Green Triangle region, the lower SE of SA and SW of Victoria
   
• Develop projections of the potential impact of P. radiata by relating vegetation community characteristics, distance from plantations and age of plantations;
   
• Identify current and potential management options for control of pine wildlings and estimate costs of these options.
   

Background

Pinus radiata has recognised weed potential both in Australia and overseas.  Research to date has demonstrated its invasive potential and its ability to alter structure and species composition of native vegetation.  This leads to an impoverished plant community and reduced habitat value for native fauna, particularly important where native vegetation is already greatly reduced in extent.  The threat becomes so much greater where these remnants lie next to pine plantations that are much larger in extent than the native vegetation. 

While much is known about establishment and growth of pines in plantations, the ecology of pine wildlings invading native vegetation in Australia is less well documented.

As is generally the case with environmental weeds, it is most cost effective to control pine wildlings at the early stage of invasion.  This requires that they be identified while their numbers and size are fairly small; not a quick or easy task in forest and woodland vegetation.
 

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