MAP (click on province for worst species in each)
THE PROBLEM
Invading alien plants (IAPs) are the single biggest threat to plant and
animal biodiversity. IAPs have become established in over 10 million hectares
of land in South Africa. The cost of controlling IAPs in South Africa is
estimated at R600 million a year over 20 years. If IAPs are left uncontrolled,
the problem will double within 15 years. IAPs waste 7% of our water resources;
reduce our ability to farm; intensify flooding and fires; cause erosion,
destruction of rivers, siltation of dams and estuaries, and poor water quality
and can cause a mass extinction of indigenous plants and animals.
KEY STATISTICS:
750 tree species and 8 000 herbaceous species introduced into South Africa
1 000 introduced species are naturalised, 200 are invasive
84 species introduced from South and Central America
14 from North America
30 from Australia
29 from Europe
36 from Asia
45% of species from Australia have become important pests
Working for Water’s Research Unit
As part of its commitment to the sound management
of invasive alien plants, the Working for Water programme
maintains a small, productive research unit.
The research carried out by this unit has formed
an integral part of the development of the Working for Water
programme since its inception in 1995.
The research sub-programme consists of a Research
Management Unit supported by five research review panels for each of
the research themes. Members of the research review panels are drawn
from government and non-government organizations. They play an
advisory role to the Research Management Unit and ensure that the
research commissioned remains credible and provides optimum returns
on investment.
The Research Management Unit coordinates research
within the following themes (click on each for more detail on
research findings, future projects, research panel members etc):
-
Biological control
The identification, screening, release and monitoring of
biological agents for long term, cost-effective control of
invading alien plants.
-
Social development
The assessment of major impacts of Working for Water on
the socio-economic status of participants and local communities.
-
Hydrology
The assessment of major impacts of invading alien plants on
hydrological processes and water yields.
- Ecology
The assessment of major impacts of alien invading plants on
ecological processes and biodiversity.
-
Resource economics
The assessment of the overall costs and benefits of the Working
for Water programme.
- Research Publications
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