In recognition of the threat that alien species pose to biodiversity and the ecosystem services that flow from healthy native systems, the work of this Research Chair supports management of invasions in protected areas. Through close collaboration with conservation agencies, research projects are structed to address key gaps in knowledge that currently undermine management efforts. Led by Prof. Tammy Robinson-Smythe, this Chair employs excellent research to address applied questions, thus offering a rich training experience to postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Vision
To support the effective and efficient management of alien species in protected areas through excellent research.
The mission of the Chair is to:
- Safeguard biodiversity and the ecosystem services that protected areas provide to people by undertaking excellent research that facilitates evidence-based management of invasions in conservation areas.
- Develop tools that support the cost-efficient yet effective management of incursions in protected areas.
- Build capacity within conservation agencies to strengthen their ability to meet their legal mandate of managing invasions.
Current Research
The breadth of research underway is reflective of the diversity of South Africa’s protected areas and the variety of challenges they face.
Understanding invasions in South African kelp forests
Invasions remain understudied in South African kelp forests, despite their biological and socio-economic value. This project will see the first surveys of kelp systems for invasive species and develop a climate sensitive watch list to support monitoring of this important habitat.
Citizen science data in support of understanding invasions in protected areas
This project seeks to assess the value of iNaturalist data in better understanding marine invasions in an African context and investigates ways of addressing caveats associated with this data, as well as the extraction of secondary data from iNaturalist records.
Invasions in Knysna Estuary
Despite a long history of introduction pathways, marine invasions have not been explicitly addressed in the important estuary. This project will undertake rapid assessments of the estuary, establish an alien species list and consider the role of native predators in regulating fouling invasions.
Amathia verticillata - distribution and abundance South African MPAs
This bryozoan was recently documented in South Africa for the first time when it was noted in Langebaan Lagoon MPA. This project will assess the distribution of this global invader in multiple estuaries along the South African coast.
Contingency planning for protecting areas of concern from invasions
Although established in a country, an alien species may still be absent from an area of concern (e.g. an MPA or a World Heritage Site). This work seeks develop a workflow to support the development of contingency plans aimed at preventing the establishment of marine alien species in such areas.
Funders
In recognition of the threat posed to protected areas by alien species, this Chair has been generously funded by the Millennium Trust.
