The Status of Biological Invasions and their Management in South Africa in 2019

For more details see: http://iasreport.sanbi.org.za

For citations in policy documents: SANBI and CIB 2020. The status of biological invasions and their management in South
Africa in 2019. pp.71. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch and DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for
Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch. http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3947613

For citations in the scientific literature: Zengeya, T.A. & Wilson, J.R. (eds.) 2020. The status of biological invasions and their
management in South Africa in 2019. pp.71. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch and DSI-NRF
Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch. http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3947613

Biological invasions are a major threat to South Africa’s biodiversity, economy, and sustainable development. This report is a part of South Africa’s commitment to alleviating these impacts. It is a comprehensive national-scale assessment with contributions from 36 experts from 16 institutions. Drafts of the report were available for comment in two substantive rounds of review, with over 350 comments received from 17 institutions. This report is unique in the world in focussing specifically on invasions and is an important part of South Africa’s global leading position on the issue (the government invests over 1 billion ZAR per year to deal with the problem). The report is based around a suite of 20 indicators that provide details on: 1) how alien species are introduced and move around the country; 2) the status and impacts of 1880 alien species of which 776 are invasive; 3) the degree to which sites are invaded and impacted; and 4) the effectiveness of the full range of interventions that South Africa has used to address the problem. This report provides valuable insights into how South Africa can reduce the negative impacts of biological invasions on ecosystems, the economy, and people while retaining the benefits alien species provide where this is possible and desirable. It collates foundational information essential for researchers of the topic and provides an assessment of interventions that is vital for policy makers and managers.

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