Read more about the article First global estimate of importance of pollinators for seed production in plants
The daisy Dimorphotheca pluvialis depends on insects like the pictured horsefly for its pollination. (Photo credit: A.G. Ellis)

First global estimate of importance of pollinators for seed production in plants

A recent study by an international team of researchers provided the first global estimate of the importance of pollinators for plants in natural ecosystems.

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Read more about the article Invasive Banksia attracts pollinators away from native Bot River protea
A Cape sugarbird (Promerops cafer) on a flower of the invasive showy Banksia (Banksia speciose). (Photo credit: Sjirk Geerts)

Invasive Banksia attracts pollinators away from native Bot River protea

A recent paper, co-authored by C∙I∙B Associate Prof Sjirk Geerts, revealed how an invasive flowering plant competes with native plants for pollinators and how this influence seed production in native species.

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Read more about the article Trout impact on distributional patterns of native fish species
Lerato Maimela at the uninvaded sites by the first waterfall in the Christmas pools of the Blyde River where the remnant population of the Treur River barb are abundant. (Photo by Lee-Anne Botha)

Trout impact on distributional patterns of native fish species

A recent fish survey by C∙I∙B members in the headwaters of the Blyde River, Mpumalanga Province, revealed that Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) invasions have reduced the abundance and divided the community structure of native fish species.

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Urban toads show themselves to be bolder – before and after invasion

Many of us are now familiar with urban commensal species - those that have adapted to life in towns and cities and can be seen to adapt their behaviour to exploit their new surroundings. Some of these urbanised species are then introduced to novel systems, and go on to become invasive.

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