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This fact sheet on weed growth in cyclone damaged tropical rainforests was compiled after a previous review of weeds activity in rainforest areas around Innisfail following Cyclone Larry in 2006 found that an increased amount of forest litter and debris on the ground helped to minimise the spread of smaller herbaceous weeds. Larger woody trees and vines are more persistent and reproduce so long as the canopy remains relatively open. As light levels decrease these invasive weed species will probably decline. However, if another cyclone causes significant disturbance before the canopy recovers, these fast-growing and early reproducing shrubs will have the capacity to spread rapidly through the landscape and increase their contribution to the weed community.

The Fact Sheet is a summary of the findings reported in RIRDC publication number 11-010 Weeds Responses to Cyclones in the Wet Tropics Rainforests – Impacts and adaptation. It contains a list of weed species encountered, dispersal mode, life form and abundance in 2006 and 2009.