Biological Invasions in South Africa

• Main Authors: Van Wilgen, Brian W., Measey, John, Richardson, David M., Wilson, John R., Zengeya, Tsungai A.
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Nature 2020
• Subjects: Environmental Sciences; Ecology; Zoology; Botany; Biodiversity; Biological Taxonomy; South Africa; Invasive biota; Coastal invasions; Abiotic factors; Open access; Zoology & animal sciences; Conservation biology/ecology; Animal Systematics > Taxonomy > Biogeography; Plant pathology; Vertebrate invasions; Aquatic plants; Prince Edward Islands; Urban invasions; Agricultural crops; Conservation of the environment; Taxonomy & systematics; Ecosystems; Freshwater and Marine Ecology; Terrestrial; Freshwater ecosystems; Pathogens; Alien organisms; Invasive insect pests; Ecological science; the Biosphere; Botany & plant sciences
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12010/14318; https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030323936#otherversion=9783030323943; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3

This open access volume presents a comprehensive account of all aspects of biological invasions in South Africa, where research has been conducted over more than three decades, and where bold initiatives have been implemented in attempts to control invasions and to reduce their ecological, economic and social effects. It covers a broad range of themes, including history, policy development and implementation, the status of invasions of animals and plants in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments, the development of a robust ecological theory around biological invasions, the effectiveness of management interventions, and scenarios for the future. The South African situation stands out because of the remarkable diversity of the country, and the wide range of problems encountered in its varied ecosystems, which has resulted in a disproportionate investment into both research and management. The South African experience holds many lessons for other parts of the world, and this book should be of immense value to researchers, students, managers, and policy-makers who deal with biological invasions and ecosystem management and conservation in most other regions.