Containing and reducing the further spread of established Pond Apple at Hopevale and South Cape Bedford
Project summary
Pond apple (Annona glabra) threatens coastal wetland landscapes through the Wet Tropics bioregion of Far North Queensland with isolated occurrences on eastern coast of Cape York. This weed of National Significance presents a threat due to its ability to colonise and transform intact natural ecosystems, forming mono cultural thickets effectively displacing native ecosystems, the native habitats of turtles, dugongs and native birds. These areas are located at the south eastern corner of the Cape, from where prevailing ocean currents transport pond apple seeds north along the east coast of the Cape to form new infestations.
The Hopevale Congress Rangers will carry out on ground control of Pond Apple, working together with Cape York Weeds and Feral Animals Inc. The project will occur in May-June 2017 and commence with some refresher Pond Apple control training provided by CYWAFAI and data gathering through fulcrum app being provided by Cape York NRM.
The project will occur in and around Cape York Peninsula's East coast, specifically, strategically targeting the areas of Hopevale and South Cape Bedford areas and surrounds. It is also proposed to survey areas to the north, south and west of these areas to further reduce the Pond Apple seed spread.
This project is supported by Cape York NRM through funding from the Queensland Natural Resource Investment Program.