The geographical topic under research is invasive species, focusing on the species Lantana. The aim of the report is to research and thoroughly explore all aspects of the topic and produce a formal written report that could be submitted to local council advising them on the best solution to the environmental issue. A brief outline and what will be found in this report is the causes and effects of Lantana and some of the strategies that could be used to manage the environmental change. Two possible solutions will be analysed and a recommendation will be made that will best minimise impact to secure our natural environment for future generations.
To gather information for this report, questions were developed to provide a focus for research. …show more content…
The cultivated form of lantana produces few seeds, is compact in shape and non-thorny. The weedy form produces seeds prolifically with filthy, thorny stems (figure 1). Both forms have many variations, which differ from each other in flower colour, prickliness, response to attackers, toxicity and shape. Weedy lantana is a thicket-forming, much branched shrub, 2–4 m in height (figure 1 & 3). The woody stems are square in cross-section and furry when budding but become cylindrical and up to 150 mm in diameter with age. The ovate leaves can be 20 to 100 mm long and appear in opposing couples along the stem (figure 2). The leaves are coarse and finely fuzzy and give off an aromatic odour when crushed. Each flower head is made up of 20–40 flowers, ranging in colour from cream, yellow or orange to pink, purple, red and white. The fruit has many berries, which ripen from green to gleaming purple-black and has an individual seed. Another species of lantana is a prevalent ornamental that is considered a weed when present in natural ecosystems. Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis) appears in coastal and subcoastal Queensland and as far south as Sydney. It is moderately similar to Lantana camara but does not have thorns, has mainly pink or purple flowers and trails along the ground, hardly flourishing much higher than half a metre. It is also …show more content…
It does not accept saline or arid soils, waterlogging or low temperatures. It thrives on rich, organic soils but also grows on well-drained clay and basalt soils. Sandy soils tend to dry out too fast for lantana unless soil moisture is constantly replenished. It has been recorded at elevations up to 1000 m in Queensland. Lantana infests disturbed locations, especially clear sunlit areas, such as roadsides, cultivated pastures and fencelines. From there it can occupy the boundaries of forests, but it does not prosper as well under a big canopy as it is not very shade tolerant. Therefore, it is not an issue in intact tropical rainforest but can rapidly spread there if the canopy opens out. Lantana develops easily in Mexico, the Caribbean and tropical and subtropical Central and South America. It is considered a weed in nearly 50 countries. Lantana may be able to spread west of the Great Dividing Range, and could broaden its range throughout southern Victoria, South Australia and southwestern Western Australia (figure
To gather information for this report, questions were developed to provide a focus for research. …show more content…
The cultivated form of lantana produces few seeds, is compact in shape and non-thorny. The weedy form produces seeds prolifically with filthy, thorny stems (figure 1). Both forms have many variations, which differ from each other in flower colour, prickliness, response to attackers, toxicity and shape. Weedy lantana is a thicket-forming, much branched shrub, 2–4 m in height (figure 1 & 3). The woody stems are square in cross-section and furry when budding but become cylindrical and up to 150 mm in diameter with age. The ovate leaves can be 20 to 100 mm long and appear in opposing couples along the stem (figure 2). The leaves are coarse and finely fuzzy and give off an aromatic odour when crushed. Each flower head is made up of 20–40 flowers, ranging in colour from cream, yellow or orange to pink, purple, red and white. The fruit has many berries, which ripen from green to gleaming purple-black and has an individual seed. Another species of lantana is a prevalent ornamental that is considered a weed when present in natural ecosystems. Creeping lantana (Lantana montevidensis) appears in coastal and subcoastal Queensland and as far south as Sydney. It is moderately similar to Lantana camara but does not have thorns, has mainly pink or purple flowers and trails along the ground, hardly flourishing much higher than half a metre. It is also …show more content…
It does not accept saline or arid soils, waterlogging or low temperatures. It thrives on rich, organic soils but also grows on well-drained clay and basalt soils. Sandy soils tend to dry out too fast for lantana unless soil moisture is constantly replenished. It has been recorded at elevations up to 1000 m in Queensland. Lantana infests disturbed locations, especially clear sunlit areas, such as roadsides, cultivated pastures and fencelines. From there it can occupy the boundaries of forests, but it does not prosper as well under a big canopy as it is not very shade tolerant. Therefore, it is not an issue in intact tropical rainforest but can rapidly spread there if the canopy opens out. Lantana develops easily in Mexico, the Caribbean and tropical and subtropical Central and South America. It is considered a weed in nearly 50 countries. Lantana may be able to spread west of the Great Dividing Range, and could broaden its range throughout southern Victoria, South Australia and southwestern Western Australia (figure