Detecting new infestations of tropical weed eradication targets

Abstract

The National Tropical Weeds Eradication Program (NTWEP) is a long running nationally cost-shared weed eradication program. Delimiting each incursion requires finding and effectively managing all infestations. The NTWEP analyses data on reports, timing, location and methods of detection of new locations. New locations are more likely to be detected by officers employed in a weed-related field or members of the public. Tracing links between locations and specific searches result in fewer new locations but are still important for some of the target weeds. Newer online identification tools and methods may result in a new category of detection events. Understanding, maintaining and enhancing the events that led detections of new locations can build confidence that the extent of each incursion of the five NTWEP target weeds is known.