Buffel grass management in Indigenous communities
Buffel grass management in Indigenous communities Conference Proceedings
Australian Rangeland Society 19th Biennial Conference: Transition to Transformation
- Author(s): Bowman, T
- Published: 2017
- Publisher: Australian Rangeland Society
Abstract: Buffel grass has been recognised as one of the greatest threats to biodiversity in South Australia’s arid and semi-arid rangelands. It has the capacity to transform ecosystems through habitat loss, competition with native plants and alteration of natural fire regimes. Buffel grass is increasingly impacting on the culture, health and safety of Indigenous communities and new approaches to the management of this devastating weed are being employed. Advances gained from South Australian research and development have resulted in the application of new control options, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of herbicide application. The emergence of new technologies has resulted in the use of drones and user friendly platforms for the mapping of buffel grass infestations in Indigenous communities and throughout SA's arid rangelands. Building the capacity of Indigenous communities through both formal and informal training is a key focus of the Alinytjara Wilurara Natural Resources Management Board. Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Land Management and Spinifex Land Management. Training provided includes the use of herbicides, mapping equipment and a range of other land management tools, with a southern desert ranger forum planned in 2017 to provide an opportunity for indigenous rangers from SA, NT and WA to learn from the experiences of fellow rangers and traditional owners. In addition, 'healthy country planning' is being used to develop achievable management objectives for a range of cultural and environmental issue, such as weed management. This planning process has a strong emphasis on traditional owner engagement. A focus on building the capacity of Indigenous communities has seen a changing face of Indigenous managed lands. New and innovative ways of effectively managing buffel grass are being employed to improve the condition of country and manage the threats posed to the environment and culture in Australia's rangelands.
- Urls: https://www.austrangesoc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Bowman_Paper_47.pdf, https://web.archive.org/web/20190305173741/https://www.austrangesoc.com.au/data/ARSC2017/2017_Conference_Papers/Bowman_Paper_47.pdf
- Publisher Location: Port Augusta
- Keywords: Buffel Grass, Great Victoria Desert, Natural Resources, Indigenous Communities, Herbicides, Technology