2021

2021 / News

The Table Mountain fire: what we can learn from the main drivers of wildfires

The fires that started on 18 April 2021 on the slopes of Table Mountain in South Africa destroyed several buildings on the campus of the University of Cape Town. These included the Jagger Library, as well as the restaurant at Rhodes Memorial, the historic Mostert’s Mill, and several residential houses. This was a tragic event that will affect many people for a long time.

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25 April 2021
Read more about the article Unseen arrivals: what is South Africa unknowingly importing?
Biosecurity inspections in South Africa as part of international agricultural trade. Clockwise from top left: microscopic inspections of fruit at Stellenbosch DALRRD laboratories; pre-export inspection of citrus at exporter’s premises; inspection of cut flowers at OR Tambo airport; inspection of bonsai plants at Stellenbosch DALRRD laboratories. Figure reproduced from Davina Saccaggi’s PhD dissertation at Stellenbosch University. Photos by DALRRD.
2021 / News

Unseen arrivals: what is South Africa unknowingly importing?

Global agricultural trade is the single biggest pathway of introduction of alien invertebrates and microorganisms. Each imported grain, fruit, vegetable, plant or flower may be carrying a host of unseen and unwanted passengers – including insects, mites, fungi or viruses.

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9 April 2021
Read more about the article How do lionfish decide what to eat at a buffet?
One of the lionfish (Pterois volitans) in the study in its aquarium tank (Photo credit: Josie South)
2021 / News

How do lionfish decide what to eat at a buffet?

When there is an abundance of food options at a buffet, how do you pick what to eat? Invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) disproportionately eat whatever food is most abundant. This was the finding of a recent study by C·I·B post-doctoral researcher, Josie South...

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12 March 2021
Read more about the article Unifying fields is required to advance invasion science
2021 / News

Unifying fields is required to advance invasion science

Despite the fact that, by definition, alien species invade ecological communities, invasion and community ecology have mostly grown independently. This led to differences in how ecological processes are considered in the two fields, which can be detrimental for understanding and predicting the spread and impacts of alien species.

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22 February 2021
Read more about the article Non-native small mammal species for sale in South Africa
Examples of non-native small mammal species sold as pets in South Africa. Pictures were taken from different advertising websites in the present study (photograph Gumtree, PublicAds)
2021 / News

Non-native small mammal species for sale in South Africa

Small mammals are amongst the most charismatic animals widely sold as pets around the world. Increasing trade for these pets has resulted in several species releases and escapees from captivity. Consequently, several small mammal pets have become invasive...

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15 February 2021