Development and implementation of monitoring protocols to evaluate the effectiveness of weed management programs.

Land managers spend considerable resources on managing weeds; however, the effectiveness of weed control is not always well understood in non-agricultural areas. To redress this, Parks Victoria has developed monitoring protocols for evaluating the outcomes of weed management. The protocols have been written up as a user-friendly instruction handbook for field staff. Successful implementation of the protocols relies on recognition that monitoring is an important component of sound environmental management. It also requires wider understanding of the benefits of monitoring and adequate training and technical support for field staff who will implement them.