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Centre for Invasion Biology

Reducing the rate and impacts of biological invasions

Highlighted Paper
Highlighted Papers

Focus on important research papers

Promoted book
Plant Invasions: The Role of Biotic Interactions
Plant Invasions: The Role of Biotic Interactions

The CABI-published book is the first to focus on the key role of species interactions in mediating invasions.

Plant Invasions: The Role of Biotic Interactions

We are the Centre for Invasion Biology

The C·I·B is an inter-institutional Centre of Excellence established in 2004 within the DSI-NRF Centres of Excellence Programme. Its members undertake research on the biodiversity consequences of biological invasions, largely through post-graduate student training. The principal aims of the Centre’s work are to reduce the rates and impacts of biological invasions by furthering scientific understanding and predictive capability, and by developing research capacity. Find out more about us.

Our Research

We investigate how biological diversity is altered by invasive plants and animals, and the effects these have on the functioning of ecosystems and the services they deliver.

For Students

In support of our vision, we train and guide students who are studying towards an Honours, Masters or Doctoral degree in biodiversity, environmental sociology or invasion biology.

Latest News

In Memory – David Le Maitre

I was deeply saddened to receive the news that our colleague David Le Maitre (C·I·B Associate) had passed away after...

Post-graduate students showcase projects at C·I·B Research Meeting

On 22 November, the Centre for Invasion Biology (C·I·B) hosted its Annual Research Meeting in Stellenbosch.

Twenty years of alien plant management in South Africa reviewed

A study led by C·I·B Core Team member, Brian van Wilgen, found that clearing efforts by the Working for Water programme have only reached about 14% of the estimated invaded area in South Africa, and that alien plant invasions continued to grow when assessed at a national scale.

C·I·B researcher awarded NRF Lifetime Achievement Award

C·I·B Core Team member, Brian van Wilgen, was recently awarded the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) Lifetime Achievement Award for his research contributions in the fields of ecology and biological invasions.

Mapping of street trees help city prioritizes areas for greening

A study by Prof Solomon Newete and colleagues from the C∙I∙B and the Agricultural Research Council will help the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality to address the disparity in the urban green structure between the City’s poor and affluent suburbs.

Invasion biology is the study of both the species that become invasive in a system and their impacts on the system they have invaded, as well as the remediation of such invasions.

Latest Highlighted Paper

Consensus and controversy in the discipline of invasion science

Consensus and controversy in the discipline of invasion science

Do controversies divide the field of invasion science? A new study finds that consensus among invasion science experts is generally high, however, some topics still generate debate.