More information on Buffel Grass

Following is a compilation of resources about Buffel Grass. I’m constantly adding to it, so please let me know if I’ve missed something. (Okay, I realise this page is only for full-on Buffel Grass nerds but I’ve done the research, so why not share it? Perhaps it will be a shortcut for someone’s project at school or university).

I have also prepared this fifteen-page summary of why Buffel Grass should be declared a weed in Victoria. In September 2023 I sent it to both the Minister for Agriculture and the Minister for Environment. Can’t wait to hear back from them! You can download the document here.

Easy-reading overviews of Buffel Grass:

1. A thorough overview of impacts: Schlesinger et al. (2020) The buffel kerfuffle: how one species quietly destroys native wildlife and cultural sites in arid Australia

2. Buffel and fire: Schlesinger et al. (2020) The summer bushfires you didn’t hear about, and the invasive species fuelling them and a blog post by Tony Faithfull and one by Ben Gooden

3. More Buffel and fire Edwards et al. (2023) Invasive grasses are worsening bushfires across Australia’s drylands

Resources for the control of Buffel Grass:

1. South Australian resources including

   • Identification factsheet

   • Control methods

   • Decision tool and control calendar

   • Vehicle hygiene

   • Alinytjara Wilurara Buffel Grass Best Practice Management Guide 2018

2. Buffel Grass - Weed management guide (CRC for Weed Management)

Published science on Buffel Grass

1. Wright et al. (2020) Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) eradication in arid central Australia enhances native plant diversity and increases seed resources for granivores

2. Schlesinger et al. (2020) Response of reptiles to weed-control and native plant restoration in an arid, grass-invaded landscape

3. Palmer et al. (2020) The diversity of thrips (Insecta: Thysanoptera) on buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) is markedly lower than on native grasses in an urban landscape

4. Edwards et al. (2019) Invasive grass affects seed viability of native perennial shrubs in arid woodlands

5. Young et al. (2018) Zebra Finches forage on seed from invasive Buffel Grass, but prefer seed from two common native grasses

6. Godfree et al. (2017) Why non-native grasses pose an existential threat to biodiversity conservation and connectivity in multiple-use landscapes

7. Young et al. (2014) Habitat use and behaviour of birds in areas invaded by buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) and in restored habitat

8. Marshall et al. (2014) Detecting new Buffel grass infestations in Australian arid lands: evaluation of methods using high-resolution multispectral imagery and aerial photography

9. Schlesinger et al. (2013) Spatial pattern and severity of fire in areas with and without buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and effects on native vegetation in central Australia

10. Marshall et al. (2012) Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) as an invader and threat to biodiversity in arid environments: A review

Multimedia about Buffel Grass

Short films

1. PIRSA - “Buffel Grass in the APY Lands of South Australia”

2. Rebel Films - "Buffel Grass Disaster"

3. Desert Rangers “War on Buffel”

4. iTalk Studios: “We Can Be Buffel Free”

5. Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board “The battle against Buffel Grass” - Great Victoria Desert, South Australia

   Radio interviews

6. Buffel grass - ABC Regional radio interview with Brett Backhouse November 2022

7. Buffel grass in Victoria - ABC Mildura Swan Hill radio interview with Fiona Murdoch - November 2023

8. Should the highly-flammable Buffel Grass be declared a weed - ABC World Today - December 2023

Listing Buffel Grass as a weed

1. Federal threat abatement advice - Buffel Grass (EPBC Act)

2. Advisory list of Environmental Weeds in Victoria (2022) - Scoring 32.2 as a risk rating, with 33.3 being the highest score for any weed on the list!

3. Key threatening process NSW Invasion of native plant communities by exotic perennial grasses

4. Declared weed SA Buffel Grass

   Campaigning

5. Arid Lands Environment Centre: The battle against Buffel: protecting Country and culture A great summary of Buffel Grass action around Alice Springs.

6. Alinytjara Wilurara Landscape Board newsletter Summer 2022, includes the Desert IPA Rangers statement on Buffel Grass 2021 (Umuwa)