Land regeneration
Aerva javanica has been used for grassland regeneration in severely degraded areas due to excessive grazing. In North-West Australia, a reseeding programme using kapok bush as a colonising species began in 1960. It aimed to assist development of a favourable seedbed for native and sown species: buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and birdwood grass (Cenchrus setiger) in ploughed contour bands. It was largely successful, with significant re-establishment of native grass species a few decades later (Novelly et al., 2007).
Weed
Aerva javanica has been regarded as a serious environmental weed in Australia since the 2000s, and has been rated highly invasive in Western Australia. However, there are conflicting opinions to its invasiveness and impact, as it is also a useful fodder in dry areas (Queensland Government, 2011).