2015

Read more about the article Effects of Prosopis invasions and clearing on Nama karoo rangelands
Thabisisani Ndhlovua conducting vegetation surveys at a study site near Beaufort West in the Nama Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa. (Photo credit: Karen Esler)
2015 / News

Effects of Prosopis invasions and clearing on Nama karoo rangelands

Nama karoo rangelands are vulnerable to overgrazing and consequently soil erosion, but what of the impact of invasive plants?  With most research focussing on the impact of alien plants on South Africa’s water resources, the costs of plant invasions on other ecosystem services, such as soil retention, remain understudied

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3 November 2015
Read more about the article Beta diversity of montane ants
View up the valley from 1800 m asl. (Photo credit: Tom Bishop)
2015 / News

Beta diversity of montane ants

A recent study by C·I·B and University of Liverpool student Tom Bishop and supervisors Mark Robsertson, Berndt Janse van Rensburg and Catherine Parr has asked how the composition of ant groupings changes across environmental gradients.

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29 October 2015
Read more about the article Anglers contribute to invasive bass research
Tournament anglers on Groenvlei, Western Cape (Photo credit: Mark Pegg)
2015 / News

Anglers contribute to invasive bass research

Information on how invasive fish species enter and spread in aquatic ecosystems of southern Africa is critical for managing such invasions. This is particularly important for alien sport fishes that are “conflict species” because they have economic and recreational value.

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19 October 2015
Read more about the article Impact of invasive alien birds on seed germination
The invasive rose-ringed parakeet (Psittacula krameri)
2015 / News

Impact of invasive alien birds on seed germination

A recent study by C·I·B student, Vuyisile Thabethe and colleagues assessed how the germination of invasive seeds are influenced after being eaten by indigenous, Knysna (Tauraco corythaix) and purple-crested (Gallirex porphyreolophus) turacos, and invasive, rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri).

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12 October 2015
Read more about the article Why do some frogs eat other frogs?
Photo by Les Minter shows a juvenile African bullfrog eating another (less fortunate) individual.
2015 / News

Why do some frogs eat other frogs?

Normally, frogs eat small invertebrates that easily fit into their mouths, but studies of stomach contents have shown that they sometimes eat eggs, tadpoles and even adults of other frogs. What are the conditions under which frogs eat frogs?

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5 October 2015