The Centre for Invasion Biology (C∙I∙B) is an academic and research entity of Stellenbosch University (SU) with a national, regional, and international scope and mandate to conduct research and training in biodiversity science especially as it applies to understanding the impacts of, and managing and preventing biological invasions.
The C∙I∙B resides within the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University and has affiliated researchers at a range of academic and non-academic institutes throughout South Africa. The C∙I∙B’s activities are significantly interdisciplinary in nature, and it aims to enhance its activities and contribution within Africa, especially through scientific risk assessment in national and multi-lateral forums and global scientific and policy bodies, advancing technical guidance, and implementation of response actions.
Vision
The raison d’être of the C·I·B is to provide the scientific understanding required to manage the rate and impacts of biological invasions in a manner that will improve the quality of life of all Africans.
Mission
The mission of the C·I·B is to:
- undertake research and education that focuses on investigating the changes in biological diversity that are a consequence of biological invasions, the consequences for ecosystem functioning of these invasions and their remediation, and the longer-term effects of invasions on ecosystem services under climate, land-use, and other relevant environmental changes;
- pioneer internationally leading research regarding biological invasions, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning by pursuing research excellence, inter-disciplinarity, and local, regional, and international exchanges, with particular consideration where appropriate of the interrelationship between climate change and biological invasion processes;
- enhance the national and international standing of the Centre by means of a coordinated programme of innovative research, the products of which are broadly disseminated in the international literature; graduates who are sought after for their knowledge, expertise, and creative and critical thinking; a well-supported core and associated staff who are respected and trusted by their peers, clients and community;
- conduct policy- and management-relevant independent research that has impact, supporting managers, policymakers, and those tasked with monitoring and reporting on biodiversity change;
- be relevant to the needs of the community, focusing on South Africa in the context of trends shaping Africa and the global community;
- help build an Africa-wide community of practice on biological invasion;
- foster linkages within broader thematic (e.g., One Health and One BioSecurity) and institutional partners.
Cutting-edge research
The C·I·B’s research targets all aspects of the phenomenon of biological invasions and species range changes, across all taxonomic groups, and all ecosystems. Better understanding of invasion patterns and processes is required, and options for management and remediation of the impacts and processes relating to endemic and introduced alien species need to be explored. Each stage of the invasion process (pre-introduction; initial incursion; expansion; and dominance) demands its own tools, insights, and types of study.
The C·I·B undertakes work in several overarching themes:
- Biological or biodiversity foundations
- Model systems (e.g., invasion syndromes)
- Human dimensions
- Basic inventories
- Modelling capacities
- Policy formulation
- Risk analysis (including impact assessments).
This suite of themes provides the scope for cutting-edge, innovative work in invasion science, while providing opportunities to draw in students and collaborators from diverse biological fields (from fundamental to applied) and many other disciplines.
The C∙I∙B’s research spans all biomes in South Africa, including Sub-Antarctic Marion Island, and is geared to understanding invasions across southern Africa and more broadly across Africa, elucidating rules that apply to biological invasions globally.