Monitoring protocols to assess the recovery of native plant species following the control of widespread weed species

Despite many environmental weed control programs having conservation aims (i.e. the protection of native plant species), few contain monitoring programs to evaluate their success in terms of the recovery of native species. There are many reasons for this situation, including a lack of resources (time and money), monitoring skills, guidance and emphasis on monitoring. To resolve this situation a comprehensive monitoring manual was recently produced. This manual contains standardised descriptive methods to assess both the control of weeds and the recovery of native plant species. In addition, the manual is dived into three tiers, which enables all stakeholders to undertake some level of monitoring regardless of their skills and resources. In addition, the manual contains standardised data sheets, and simple analysis techniques. While this manual was developed specifically for bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera), it has been designed to be used for other environmental weeds. A revised version is currently being developed to encompass all weed species. The use of standardised monitoring methods, with a focus on assessment of the recovery of native plant species and the collection of standardised data will greatly enhance our ability to assess the recovery of native species following weed control at both specific sites and across multiple sites and species. This will fill a significant gap and greatly enhance our understanding of the impact to and recovery of native plants (both listed as threatened or otherwise) following weed control, as well as develop more effective weed control programs.