Biodiversity impacts of small-scale infestations of Lantana camara upon vegetation floristics and leaf litter invertebrates in the Lower Hunter Region of New South Wales

The wide range of ecological influences exerted across landscapes causes a mosaic-like physiognomy which influences localised biodiversity. Dense infestations of Lantana camara contribute to these ecological influences and it has been established through various research projects that some species are favoured by Lantana infestations while others are disadvantaged. This research project examines whether small-scale infestations have any discernible impact upon floristic diversity and leaf-litter invertebrate diversity in the Lower Hunter region of New South Wales. It helps to clarify questions relating to establishing priorities for land management strategies. The study established that small patches of Lantana reduce floristic diversity and that this should be incorporated into the establishment of priorities for Lantana management strategies. Significant floristic differences between the paired Lantana plots and the non-infested plots were established for all of the study sites. Furthermore, the reduced floristic diversity was amongst the indigenous species. No difference in the diversity of weed species was found between the Lantana plots and the non-infested plots. There was no discernible difference in leaf-litter invertebrate diversity or population between the Lantana plots and the non-infested plots. This indicates that the commonplace tick-infestation of bushland regenerators when removing Lantana may have more to do with the removal methods than with an increase in the occurrence of ticks.