Management of introduced plant species in the Australian Alps: Application of an optimisation framework for allocating resources to address multiple threats

Date: 26, Nov, 2021
Author(s): Joslin Moore  
Publisher: TSR Hub

Alpine ecosystems are subject to a variety of threats, including invasion by introduced plants. For example, alpine peatlands, an Endangered ecological community, are threatened by grey sallow (Salix cinerea) and soft rush (Juncus effusus) invasions. Limited resources to manage invasive plants means that land managers have to decide where best to allocate those resources. Often multiple actions could be undertaken to reduce impacts from any given threat, and these can vary in feasibility, effectiveness and cost. We developed an optimisation framework to identify the most cost-effective way of allocating resources to address multiple threats when multiple management options are available.