@article {bnh-6255, title = {Navigating the fiery debate: the role of scientific evidence in eliciting policy and management responses for contentious plants in northern Australia}, journal = {Pacific Conservation Biology}, volume = {24}, year = {2018}, month = {08/2018}, pages = {318-328}, abstract = {

Australia{\textquoteright}s vast tropical savannas contain outstanding biodiversity and cultural values. The region supports many industries, with broad-scale pastoralism being the most widespread. Hundreds of plant species were introduced into northern Australia to support the pastoral industry; some species have since been termed {\textquoteleft}contentious{\textquoteright} or {\textquoteleft}conflict{\textquoteright} species due to their perceived positive value for industry but negative impacts on non-pastoral values when they invaded non-pastoral landscapes. Heated political and public debate ensued about the appropriate policy and management response to these species based on people{\textquoteright}s perceptions of values being altered by invasion by these species, and conflicting views on what constituted appropriate management actions to control their use and spread. Here we share our insights into the role of scientific evidence in progressing this debate, by quantifying the impacts of species on environmental, socioeconomic and cultural values. We reflect on the importance of science for underpinning evidence-based risk management tools, the outputs of which supported policy response by politicians and other policy decision-makers. We also assess the gap in translation from policy to coordinated on-ground action at the national scale, and provide our insights into the contribution that science can make to bridging this gap.

}, keywords = {conservation biology, conservation policy, invasive species, policy and planning, Savanna}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1071/PC18028}, url = {https://www.publish.csiro.au/pc/PC18028}, author = {Setterfield, SA and Rossiter-Rachor, Natalie and Vanessa M Adams} } @article {bnh-4687, title = {Savanna fire management and bushfire and natural hazard scenario planning for northern Australia annual project report part two: managing flammable high biomass grassy weeds}, number = {366}, year = {2018}, month = {08/2018}, institution = {Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC}, address = {Melbourne}, abstract = {

High biomass, introduced grasses are invading savanna ecosystems across northern Australia. At high densities, they alter fire behavior and fire regimes. The Managing flammable high biomass grassy weeds activity is a subcomponent of the Savanna fire management and bushfire \& natural hazards scenario planning for northern Australia project. Commencing in July 2016, the project aims to assess change that occurs following invasion by high biomass grasses. We determined a list of priority high-biomass grass species for more detailed assessment based on their current distribution and predicted area suitable for establishment. The impact on fire regimes following invasion of these species will be determined by their fuel characteristics. We have therefore commenced field and laboratory work quantifying changes in fuel flammability. Samples of a range of species have been collected in the NT and QLD for flammability analysis. Characterising patterns of fuel curing has commenced, and shown that, for example, gamba grass has much higher (55\% higher) moisture content and lower curing than native grasses, but can sustain higher intensity fires due to other flammability characteristics. The impact of the more intense fires is of high relevance for stakeholders aiming to quantify risk and invest in mitigation efforts. Therefore, the project has commenced collation of data on the social, economic and environmental consequences of invasion, and undertaken extensive stakeholder engagement activities in northern Australia.

}, issn = {366}, author = {Setterfield, SA and Rossiter-Rachor, Natalie} }