Read more about the article Study assesses fleshy-fruited alien plants invading KwaZulu-Natal coastal forests
Nasiphi Bitani presenting the paper at the National Symposium on Biological Invasions in July 2022, at the Univeristy of Fort Hare, Eastern Cape.(Photo credit: SANBI).

Study assesses fleshy-fruited alien plants invading KwaZulu-Natal coastal forests

A study by PhD student, Nasiphi Bitani and C∙I∙B Core Team member Prof Colleen Downs assessed the impacts of fleshy-fruited alien plants invading KwaZulu-Natal coastal forests.

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Read more about the article When should helicopters be used to clear Pines?
MD500 helicopter applying herbicide at high altitude and slope (Photo credit: Peter Willemse)

When should helicopters be used to clear Pines?

A study by former C∙I∙B student Kyle Boast, and supervisors, Willem de Lange and Theo Kleynhans assessed the trade-offs when comparing helicopters with two alternative ground-based methods for clearing invasive alien trees to find out under which circumstances the higher cost of helicopters are justified.

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Read more about the article Rapid increase in common myna invasion in an iconic protected area
Figure: Current distribution map with years of first sightings. Only first records for a given location are shown. Most of the earliest records (before 2001) come from urban areas outside the park, except for the very first record at Talamati and Lower Sabie camps (white dots). The majority of the records come from the most recent time interval (2016–2020), with mynas appearing to establish more frequently in the northern part of KNP.

Rapid increase in common myna invasion in an iconic protected area

A study by C∙I∙B Core Team Member, Llewellyn Foxcroft and colleagues examined the rates of invasion of common mynas into the Kruger National Park, and whether the birds were becoming permanent residents.

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Read more about the article Alien scarlet bottlebrush makes itself at home on Devils Peak
Chelsey Matthys

Alien scarlet bottlebrush makes itself at home on Devils Peak

C∙I∙B student, Chelsey Matthys, and C∙I∙B Associate, Sjirk Geerts (based at Cape Peninsula University of Technology), together with colleagues documented the first detailed assessment of the distribution and invasive potential of scarlet bottlebrush (Melaleuca rugulosa) in South Africa.

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Read more about the article Generation of machine-learning training samples using traditional image classification algorithms
Madodomzi Mafanya capturing a Pompom weed GPS coordinate using a GNSS receiver at Rietvlei Nature Reserve. (Photo supplied by Madodomzi)

Generation of machine-learning training samples using traditional image classification algorithms

The study by PhD student, Madodomzi Mafanya, and C∙I∙B Core Team member, Tsungai Zengeya, demonstrated that it is possible to generate large numbers of accurate training samples from traditional image classification algorithms that can be used to map the distribution of alien plant species using machine-learning algorithms.

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