BREAKING: One of Australia’s most damaging invasive weeds, Scotch broom, has been completely eradicated from a sprawling 400-hectare wildlife sanctuary near Barrington Tops, NSW. This remarkable achievement comes thanks to a tiny insect, marking a significant victory in the battle against environmental threats.
NEW REPORTS confirm that Aussie Ark has successfully eliminated Scotch broom, a plant notorious for smothering native flora and disrupting wildlife habitats. This development is not just a local triumph; it could pave the way for similar initiatives across Australia, according to Tim Faulkner, managing director of Aussie Ark.
For over a decade, traditional methods like spraying and clearing had limited success in combating Scotch broom. Faulkner described the momentous change as an “ecological miracle.” He stated, “It was all over the Ark. We’ve been fighting it for years… with very limited success.”
Scotch broom, known scientifically as cytisus scoparius, is a deciduous shrub that can reach heights of up to four meters. It was originally introduced to Australia in the early 1900s but rapidly became a significant environmental threat, landing on the list of Weeds of National Significance due to its detrimental economic and ecological impacts. The plant reduces grazing areas and provides harborage for feral animals, according to the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions.
The success story began in 2016 when Aussie Ark collaborated with Scone Landcare, Landcare NSW, and the Department of Primary Industries to introduce English broom gall mites (aceria genistae). These tiny insects specifically target Scotch broom, serving as a natural control solution. Faulkner emphasized the slow start of the initiative, stating, “It was a slow burn for the first eight-and-a-half years. Then it went boom, and the magic happened.”
Just last week, Aussie Ark confirmed that these gall mites had successfully destroyed all remnants of Scotch broom from the sanctuary. This victory is seen as not just a local win but as a model of success that can be replicated statewide.
Jodie Lovell, enabling program manager at Landcare NSW, expressed enthusiasm about the breakthrough, stating, “The eradication from such a significant sanctuary is not just a local win. It’s a model of success that could be replicated across the state.”
Aussie Ark is now calling on local landowners, state forests, and national parks to join the fight. “Aussie Ark has the mite—a surplus of them,” Faulkner encouraged. “If you would like to join Aussie Ark to help roll out this natural, biological environmental control program, come join Aussie Ark’s war on weeds.”
The gall mites lie dormant each winter, becoming active again in spring, making this an urgent call to action for communities in the region.
For those interested in participating in this groundbreaking initiative or seeking further information, please contact Aussie Ark at [email protected].
This significant development not only highlights the power of ecological solutions but emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts to protect Australia’s unique environments. As the fight against invasive species continues, the success of Aussie Ark serves as a beacon of hope for conservationists nationwide.
Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story and how these methods could change the landscape of ecological management across Australia.
