SCIENTISTS in Central Australia are calling for the development of buffel grass-free islands after research confirmed that native wildlife will flourish in areas where the introduced pasture species has been removed.
A six-year study carried out by Charles Darwin University near Alice Springs found that ground cover changed and that native plants, animals and especially reptiles became more abundant after buffel grass was removed.
Senior research fellow Dr Christine Schlesinger at CDU's Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods undertook the field experiment at several study plots at Simpsons Gap in the Tjoritja West MacDonnell National Park and the Alice Springs Desert Park.
"We examined the response of reptiles to areas where buffel grass had been removed and native plants were able to regenerate," Dr Schlesinger said.
"Data showed an increase in 27 of 36 species of reptile in the years following weed treatment.
"The trend suggests negative impacts of buffel grass on reptiles are probably caused by broad factors like reduced prey or habitat diversity that affect multiple species."
Dr Schlesinger said buffel grass posed a significant threat to biodiversity because of its wide distribution and ability to dominate diverse habitats such as those in semi-arid inland Australia.
Together with other research at the experimental sites on plant communities, ants, birds, and fire, this experiment showed removing buffel grass from heavily invaded areas benefits a variety of native plants and animals.
"It shows that even on a small scale, the removal of buffel grass from heavily invaded areas benefits native flora and fauna," Dr Schlesinger said.
"We suggest the creation of 'islands' of restored native vegetation deserves further consideration as an effective intervention for conservation, until landscape-scale solutions are available."
She said the restoration of small areas within buffel invaded landscapes helps preserve native seed banks and adult plants, and reduced fire impacts.
