Biological control agents of bugweed worth a second look

Two biological control agents maintain the potential to be effective agents against bugweed, after the incorporation of plant ecophysiology and climatic modelling in the assessment of their effectiveness.

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Read more about the article C·I·B study alerts for the risk of freshwater crayfish invading Okavango Delta
The Australian redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) (Photo by Ana Nunes)

C·I·B study alerts for the risk of freshwater crayfish invading Okavango Delta

A recent study, led by C·I·B Post-doc Ana Nunes, highlights the danger of an invasive freshwater crayfish reaching the Okavango Delta and the potential devastating consequences for the ecology of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Read more about the article Lack of human-assisted spread means Kudzu vine can be eradicated from SA
(a) Kudzu vine (Pueraria Montana var. lobata) invasion of a eucalyptus plantation close to the initial introduction site in Mpumalanga Province of South Africa; (b) Kudzu vine smothering native and alien riparian vegetation at the site of initial introduction (Photo credit: Sjirk Geerts)

Lack of human-assisted spread means Kudzu vine can be eradicated from SA

A recent study by C·I·B Associate, Sjirk Geerts (based at Cape Peninsula University of Technology), together with researchers from the C·I·B, SANBI’s Invasive Species Programme and the University of Cape Town, stressed the importance of human activities in the spread of some of the most notorious plant invaders.

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Read more about the article New protocol helps identify and categorise environmental impacts of alien species
The mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) has massive impact through hybridisation. (Photo credit: By WPPilot - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=38620499)

New protocol helps identify and categorise environmental impacts of alien species

A new protocol for identifying and categorising the environmental impacts of alien species may help invasion biologists to complete a global stocktake on the environmental impacts of all known alien species by 2020.

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Read more about the article Identifying a successful invader in mutualistic communities
A mutualistic interaction between the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) and a flowering plant. The honey bee uses its proboscis to extract nectar and in doing so ensures the pollination of the flowers. (Photo credit: By Jon Sullivan via https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honeybee_apis_mellifera.jpg#/media/File:Honeybee_apis_mellifera.jpg)

Identifying a successful invader in mutualistic communities

A recent paper by former C·I·B student Dr Ony Minoarivelo and C·I·B core team member Prof Cang Hui explored the features of alien species and invaded ecosystems that may influence the success of alien species.

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