This page provides links to reports that describe a range of achievements in fotpin's weed control program. For the most part, the reports document our progress in controlling particular weed types. Other reports summarise particular weed control efforts, such as our effort in the Pinnacle Extension offset area prior to it being incorporated into the Reserve.
Progress in controlling Blackberries (updated July 2023)
Persistent mapping, treatment and follow-up of occurrences of blackberry
(Rubus anglocandicans) resulted in their virtual elimination from the Reserve and contraction
of their prevalence towards the William Hovell Drive boundary of the controlled area up to 2020.
Unfortunately the favourable growing conditions between 2020 and 2023 have seen a resurgence in numbers,
especially in the 2022-23 season. Their increased prevalence is seen across the Reserve but is particularly
noticeable in the Kama Link paddock (the 2016 Offset addition to the Reserve). This is likely connected to
the proximity of that area to William Hovell Drive where blackberries are rampant along the verge and
untreated by City Services until autumn 2023, thus providing a rich source of re-infestation.
Assessing the impact of 12 years of spraying Sweet Briar
(updated July 2023)
A summary of indicators are presented to show that fotpin has been successfully
reducing thenumber of briars (Sweet Briar, Rosa rubignosa) on the Pinnacle Nature Reserve
from 44 briars/ha in the 2012-13 season to an average of 3 briars/ha over the 2019-20 to 2023-24
seasons
Indicators include: the decline in the number of briars requiring treatment each season,
the decline in the density of briars overall as well as at specific hotspots, and the decline
in the amount of time and chemical spent controlling briars.
Measuring success in controlling Verbascum
(updated July 2023)
One of fotpin's target weeds for many years has been Verbascum, both
V. thapsus (great mullein) and V. virgatum (twiggy mullein). Since 2011 one of
several heavily infested areas (see Visual progress with Verbascum control below) has been
sprayed systematically and regularly and the amount of spray required each time recorded.
The recorded decrease and then sudden increase in the amount of spray needed on that area each
year allowed the deduction that the amount of Verbascum each season, as indicated by the amount
of spray required, was strongly correlated with summer rainfall. This relationship was
subsequently shown to apply across the whole Reserve.
Successive negative deviations from this observed relationship following
near-record rainfall years may indicate temporary success in controlling Verbascum.
One of fotpin's target weeds for many years has been Verbascum,
both V. thapsus (great mullein) and V. virgatum (twiggy mullein).
One of several heavily infested areas was photographed in 2007. Since 2011 this area has
been sprayed systematically and since 2014 follow-up photos have been taken. The contrast
between the pre- and post- spraying photographs is stark.
