Management

Read more about the article Retooling invasion science to deal with rapid global change
Figure 2. The “bridgehead effect” of the global spread of the harlequin ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis, based on genetic analyses by Lombaert and colleagues (2010; PLoS ONE 5: e9743). The beetle was introduced intentionally as an insect biocontrol agent in some regions (shown in green). From these bridgehead regions, the beetle was transported inadvertently to other continents. Most of the global spread of this species has originated from non-native populations in Eastern North America.
2021 / Highlighted papers

Retooling invasion science to deal with rapid global change

Invasion science must adapt to meet growing societal demands and biosecurity challenges in the face of rapid global environmental change. This task was addressed at a workshop during the NEOBIOTA conference in Dún Laoghaire, Ireland, in September 2018 that was attended by several researchers affiliated with the Centre for Invasion Biology (C∙I∙B).

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24 June 2021
Read more about the article New monitoring and reporting framework aims to reduce the impacts of invasive alien species in World Heritage Sites
The Kogelberg Nature Reserve in the Cape Floristic Region World Heritage Site (photo credit Ross Shackleton)
2020 / News

New monitoring and reporting framework aims to reduce the impacts of invasive alien species in World Heritage Sites

World Heritage Sites contain cultural and natural heritage of outstanding value to humanity. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has inscribed 1,121 sites worldwide, of which nine are in South Africa—including four natural sites: the Cape Floral Region Protected Areas; the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park; Vredefort Dome; and Barberton Makhonjwa Mountain Land.

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7 September 2020
Read more about the article How many invasive species can our ecosystems tolerate?
Mice are the most widely distributed vertebrate in the world due to historical shipping and trade patterns. The image shows a mouse hitchhiking on marine ropes (photo: James Russell). This is but one example of the many species that are introduced accidentally as a result of tourism. More work is needed to fully understand the role of different pathways in introducing non-native species and to find ways of managing these pathways to reduce the associated risks.
2020 / News

How many invasive species can our ecosystems tolerate?

An increase of 20 to 30 percent in the number of invasive alien species will lead to dramatic biodiversity loss worldwide. This is one conclusion of a study by an international team of researchers led by C·I·B associate Franz Essl that was published in the journal Global Change Biology.

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17 July 2020