Water weeds are found across NSW. The number of species that can be found in aquatic situations can be daunting when trying to determine if a plant is a weed or not. This workshop aims to help weed professionals recognise significant aquatic weeds, tell them apart from less invasive species and know where to go to for identification resources.
Aquatic weeds pose many risks to people, animals, the environment and agriculture. The negative impacts of aquatic weeds include: reducing water quality and creating suitable habitat for an increase in mosquito numbers; outcompeting native plants which reduces food and habitat for fish and other aquatic animals; blocking irrigation channels and pumps; reducing water available for livestock and other animals; smothering waterways, which restricts movement and recreational activities such as swimming and boating and can exacerbate flooding.
Nine aquatic weeds are listed in schedule 2 of the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 as prohibited matter. Two species have biosecurity zones and four have state mandatory measures.
Aquatic weed identification skills are important for weeds biosecurity officers and other agency staff who work in the field.
NSW DPIRD training team delivers a one-day course, ‘Recognising Water Weeds’, which improves knowledge about water weeds and skills in identifying weeds. This workshop will complement the one-day course. We will show a range of aquatic weeds and compare them with both state and regional priority weeds that may look similar.
3D physical and 3D digital models of aquatic weeds as well as live plant specimens will be used to illustrate differences and similarities between look-alikes and priority weeds. Reference books will be on hand and the ‘Recognising Water Weeds’ plant identification guide will be given to each attendee.
This course runs for 1.5 hours for a maximum of 25 people.