Australia, renowned for its unique biodiversity, faces a significant challenge from biological invasions, especially in the realm of plant species. The continent harbors the second-highest number of endemic plant species globally, making it particularly susceptible to invasive threats. With approximately 3,500 alien plant species introduced outside their native range, the threat to Australia's ecosystems, economies, and human well-being is paramount. To counteract this, a staggering $13.6 billion is invested annually in environmental biosecurity in Australia. However, the fragmented nature of plant censuses, developed independently by state and territory government departments, has resulted in inconsistencies at the national level. In response to the pressing need for a cohesive approach to manage these invasions, we have created a groundbreaking initiative– the Alien Flora of Australia (AFA).

The intricacies of invasion ecology terminology have long fuelled debates within the scientific community. In Australia, independent plant censuses containing information on invasion status have been contributed from different jurisdictions, which has hindered efficient management at the national scale. In response, we have taken a pioneering step towards streamlining its approach, via providing a comprehensive workflow to harmonize terminologies and address mismatches on invasion status. This has resulted in the creation of a unified and standardized dataset on plant invasions at the national scale – the Alien Flora of Australia.

The AFA serves as a nationally unified dataset, consolidating information from diverse sources, including the Australian Plant Census, state and territory censuses and the Australian Global Register for Introduced and Invasive Species. Developed through an innovative R script, the AFA identifies mismatches, integrates information, and provides standardized and harmonized invasion statuses at both jurisdictional and national scales. This harmonization acts like a unified front against biological invasions; it not only facilitates early warning and prevention of introduced species but also enhances decision-making at jurisdictional levels and bolsters biosecurity measures at the national scale.

The AFA, with its associated script, is a powerful tool in the fight against invasive flora. By allowing real-time coordination and reconciliation of open-access data, this standardized dataset can be regularly updated with new releases of the data sources it combines. This dynamic approach transforms knowledge, enhances understanding, and boosts the efficacy of invasive ecology knowledge transference, management, and policy in Australia.

The AFA constitutes a catalyst for research and action in biosecurity. The creation of a free, easy-to-update AFA at the national scale, combining data from state and national plant censuses, represents a significant leap forward in research infrastructure. This resource, facilitated by the associated script, offers cost-effective opportunities to study biological invasions on a large scale. Stakeholders, including government entities, the scientific community, biosecurity committees, land managers, and society at large, stand to benefit from this invaluable tool.

As the world grapples with global change, the AFA stands ready to adapt. The script developed for its creation can be employed at any time to automate the updating process. This feature is especially crucial in monitoring alien flora under changing environmental conditions, where certain taxa are predicted to expand or contract their distribution ranges.

The Alien Flora of Australia is more than a dataset; it is a testament to Australia's commitment to safeguarding its unique ecosystems. By unifying terminology, integrating information, and providing a dynamic tool for ongoing research, the AFA stands as a beacon in the collective effort to protect Australia's biodiversity from the pervasive threat of invasive plant species.

(Image: Buffel grass, Cenchrus ciliaris, an environmental weed in Australia. Photo by John Tann)