Soil Seed Bank Dynamics of Pastures Invaded by Navua Sedge (Cyperus aromaticus) in Tropical North Queensland

Navua sedge (Cyperus aromaticus) is threatening crops, pasture species and natural ecosystems in Pacific Island countries northern Queensland, Australia. To aid future management efforts of this exotic invasive weed, research was conducted to understand the soil seed bank dynamics pastures invaded by sedge. Six grazing properties were chosen across two landscapes, coastal inland/upland, with areas that had infestations At each site, collected from depths, 0-5 5-10 cm, plots high low infestation levels It observed varied significantly between these study sites. dominant at all sites contributing 62% 95% total bank, while seeds occupied only 3% 24%. Broadleaf even lower abundance, showing 2% 13% count. The abundance present correlated aboveground biomass (r=0.53, p=0.006), but no correlation found age Based on work, it clear very large concentrated within top cm soil, with, 83% being layer. also noted that, although, higher number than plots, more 18,000 seeds/m 2 still layer regarded as infestation. We suggest insights achieved our may be used devise strategies minimise impact weed critical agricultural areas.