Invasive Species & Weed Management

Aug 21

2 min read

A weed is a plant growing where it is not wanted, while an invasive species causes or is likely to cause environmental, economic, social or cultural harm. Legal status and management priorities vary between places, so correct identification comes before control.

Photorealistic bushland scene with native grasses and flowering groundcover on one side and a dense green weed patch on the other, separated by monitoring stakes, with pruning tools, a hand trowel, cleaning brush and sealed sample container on the leaf-littered ground. — A South East Queensland bushland assessment area showing native groundcover beside a dense invasive weed patch, with clean hand tools, monitoring markers, a boot-cleaning brush and a sealed plant sample container prepared for careful field monitoring.

What This Index Covers

This index covers identification, reporting, risk assessment, prevention, early detection, containment, control methods, disposal, revegetation and follow-up monitoring. It includes weeds, invasive animals and pathogens where they affect restoration, but does not provide site-specific chemical directions or encourage removal without permission.

Browse Resources

Browse the resource areas currently organised under this index. Links can be added as reviewed articles and records are published.

Identify and verify - Separate native, introduced, naturalised, invasive and legally declared organisms.

Prevent and detect - Reduce spread and recognise new incursions early.

Prioritise - Set measurable goals based on impact, feasibility, values at risk and reinvasion pathways.

Control methods - Compare manual, mechanical, cultural, biological and chemical options and their non-target risks.

Disposal and hygiene - Manage seed, fragments, soil, tools, vehicles and contaminated material safely.

Monitor and restore - Measure outcomes, prevent reinvasion and support recovery of desired communities.

Read First

Before using these resources for identification, growing, harvesting, conservation, community work or other practical decisions, read:

Identify Before You Remove: Native, Introduced and Invasive Species

Weed Laws, Herbicides and Safe Control

Monitor Outcomes and Prevent Reinvasion

Coverage and Evidence

Common names, photographs and one visible feature are not enough for high-risk identification. Some native species can appear weedy, and some invasive plants resemble valued or protected species. Laws, permitted products and label directions change by jurisdiction. Control can increase erosion, expose seed banks or harm non-target species. Use an integrated plan, permissions, protective equipment and follow-up suited to the site.

The Earth Resource Map and Learn library are being built progressively. Indexed means that a topic or resource can be connected to its identity, source and broad context; it does not mean that every claim has been verified or localised. Evidence is assessed claim by claim. Where information is missing, uncertain, restricted or location-dependent, that limitation should remain visible.

Last Reviewed

20 August 2026

This date records review of this index-page copy and its resource structure. Individual articles, records, laws, project details and evidence may have different publication and review dates.

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References

Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. Introduced and invasive species. https://soe.dcceew.gov.au/land/pressures/introduced-and-invasive-species

Weeds Australia. Australian Weeds Strategy 2017-2027. https://weeds.org.au/resources_post/australian-weeds-strategy-2017-2027/