Read more about the article Invasive bass have harmful impact on native fish abundance
Invasive smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu) have all but eradicated native fishes from below the waterfall (Photograph by Otto Whitehead)

Invasive bass have harmful impact on native fish abundance

The smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), a premier sportfish from North America, and has been stocked into rivers and dams throughout the fynbos region of South Africa to improve angling. Bass are voracious predators and there is growing concern over their impact on populations of the small and vulnerable endemic fish species.

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Read more about the article C·I·B workshop brings together leaders in the field of insect invasions
Attendees at the C·I·B supported workshop, “Drivers, mechanisms and impacts of insect invasions”, held on the 24th-26th of November 2014, in Stellenbosch. (Photo credit: Susana Clusella-Trullas)

C·I·B workshop brings together leaders in the field of insect invasions

To coincide with its Annual Research Meeting, the Centre for Invasion Biology (C·I·B) supported a workshop focusing on the “Drivers, mechanisms, impacts and adaptations” of insect invasions through looking at agricultural pests, biocontrol agents, vectors of human disease and threats to ecosystems.

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Read more about the article Invaders change soil characteristics and functioning to their advantage
Acacias covering a country road in the sampling area (Photo credits: Pablo Souza-Alonso)

Invaders change soil characteristics and functioning to their advantage

When an invasive plant enters a new area, they often change the chemical profile of the soil and bring with them a new set of soil microorganisms. Soil microorganisms play an important role in the functioning of the soil and can be used as direct expression of the impacts of invasive plants on native soils.

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Investigating ecological effects of polyploidization in a cosmopolitan grass genus

Polyploidization, the process whereby an organism receives two whole copies of its parents’ genomes (instead of half of each parents’ genome), is very common among plants and is thought to be an important mechanism for creating new species (polyploids).

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Read more about the article A costly affair – pine invasions in protected areas
Pines (Pinus species) spreading from a forestry plantation (Photo credit: Matthew McConnachie)

A costly affair – pine invasions in protected areas

Protected areas (PAs) are a key intervention for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services. A major challenge for PAs is the control of invasive alien plants that spread into PAs from surrounding areas such as forestry plantations.

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