Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) is the most widespread and controversial invasive plant in arid Australia. It is widely grown as a pasture plant in tropical and subtropical arid rangelands of the world, because of its high tolerance of drought and capacity to withstand heavy grazing. Consequently, it is an important economic species in arid Australia but it has significant negative environmental and cultural impacts. These include increased fire frequency and intensity leading to the loss of trees, decline in biodiversity, and loss of plants and animals of cultural importance to First Nations people and damage to sacred sites.
Marg will outline how buffel grass arrived in Australia and was subsequently distributed accidentally and intentionally. She’ll discuss its benefits and costs, how it might be managed, and its continuing adaptation to new environments through hybridisation.