C·I·B alumnus James Rodger is a co-author on a recently published study that traces the invasion history of fire weed (Senecio madagascariensis) in Australia, using DNA from herbarium specimens dating back to its introduction, as well as present-day collections. This is one of the first studies to use this approach.
Nature provides us with benefits such as fresh water, food, climate regulation, nutrient recycling and a sense of place. These benefits, also known as “ecosystem services”, are critical for our well-being and underpin any future development. Despite an increase in research on ecosystem services, and how these services link to development, it would seem that there is still a gap between ecosystem service research and the implementation of management activities on the ground.
Researchers at the Centre for Invasion Biology (C·I·B) are among the contributors to a new academic textbook that examines what will happen to invasive species with current and expected man-made climate change. The book, entitled “Invasive Species and Global Climate Change” describes the distribution, success, spread and impact of invasive species for a series of case studies from countries around the globe.
It is ten years since the launch of the C·I·B in September 2004, and last month we held our first Partners Conference in Stellenbosch to celebrate the success of our current partnerships and to explore new areas of collaboration.
Invasive species risk assessments have been developed to identify species that pose an invasion risk. Unfortunately, risk assessments tend to be expensive and time consuming, and due to a lack of resources (data, skills and funding) many resource poor nations cannot implement these tools. For developing nations, a useful alternative approach may be to develop watch lists of invasive species.