Read more about the article Stopping the next wave of biological invasions
A Working for Water team prepares to survey the slopes of Table Mountain as part of the effort to eradicate Acacia paradoxa (Kangaroo Thorn). This is one of the species targeted by SANBI ISP for pro-active management of biological invasions. Photo credit: John Wilson

Stopping the next wave of biological invasions

South Africa is world renowned as a leader in the science and management of biological invasions, but has been lagging behind in one key area—eradication. As of 2010 South Africa had ~8750 introduced plant taxa, 660 recorded as naturalised, 198 included in invasive species legislation, but only 64 subjected to regular control.

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Read more about the article Assessing the ecological risk of Nile tilapia in the Limpopo River basin
Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus from the Limpopo River, South Africa

Assessing the ecological risk of Nile tilapia in the Limpopo River basin

Ecological risk assessments are used to identify potential invasive species from the pool of introduced species in a given country or area, and to assess the seriousness of their impacts.  C·I·B researchers have developed a qualitative risk assessment method for determining the risk of establishment and spread of the invasive Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in the Limpopo River basin in northern South Africa.

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Read more about the article Bumblebees, stay out!
The large earth bumblebee Bombus terretris pollinating the nodding thistle Cardus nutans in Argentina where it is invasive (Photo credit: Anton Pauw)

Bumblebees, stay out!

An article in Farmers weekly on the use of bumblebees for applying pesticide to flowers stimulated a response from several South African scientists, including C·I·B researchers Dave Richardson, Steven Johnson and C·I·B PhD graduate James Rodger. Although the pesticide has not been approved for use in South Africa, the article said, quite incorrectly, that nothing stops South African farmers from using bumblebees for pollination in the meantime.

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Ecological Footprint and biocapacity: the misconception of unsustainable development

Since the concept of sustainable development was put forward by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987, it has become an ideal development approach and policy goal. Among the indicators of sustainable development is the ecological footprint methodology.

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Read more about the article Invasion patterns of an invasive agricultural weed
Flowers of wild radish, Raphanus raphanistrum

Invasion patterns of an invasive agricultural weed

The process of biological invasion involves the movement of propagules, be they individuals, seeds or pollen, from one area to another area. The success and rate of introduced species establishment and reproduction in the new area rest, among other factors, on existing landscape features and anthropogenic disturbance, for example, agricultural activities.

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