Changes in the cover of selected invasive alien plant taxa between 2008 and 2023 in South Africa

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 27(3)

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

---

Invasive Plants as a Source of Polyphenols with High Radical Scavenging Activity

Plants, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(3), P. 467 - 467

Published: Feb. 5, 2025

The wide occurrence and expansive nature of invasive plant species are worldwide problems because these plants by their competitive character can lead to the loss biodiversity. As a result, they significantly disrupt ecosystems, create economic damage threats human health, diminish quality recreational resources. Therefore, sustainable, bio-based solutions needed for control, focusing on utilization biomass after eradication. To better understand potential application possibilities role in bioeconomy, such as Lupinus polyphyllus—Lindl., Impatiens glandulifera Royle, Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden, Solidago canadensis L., Echinocystis lobata (Michx.), Elodea Michx. were studied. These not only widely spread but also form dense mono-stands produce substantial amounts biomass, which provides more options harvesting. In particular, composition was analysed assess feasibility use bioactive compound extraction. amount total polyphenols flavonoids determined various parts studied plants, corresponding radical scavenging activities using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP CUPRAC. rich sources polyphenols, highest concentrations found leaves, reaching concentration 7.78–11.75 g GAE/100 DW, polyphyllus, identified extracts flowers (12.77 DW) leaves (11.88 plant. Among studied, consistently showed flavonoids, well greatest antioxidant activities. findings underscore source valuable substances, particularly eradication species.

Language: Английский

---

Systematic and persistent bias against introduced species

BioScience, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 74(1), P. 44 - 53

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Critics of invasion biology have argued that conservation science is biased against introduced species. We reviewed 300 randomly selected articles described the ecological effects species and assessed whether they were framed negatively, neutrally, or positively. then asked their framing was related to harms as defined by community; knowledge about species, using species’ taxonomy, habitat, region proxies; journal’s focus prestige author's country affiliation. also analyzed differed across space time. If unbiased, one would expect negative be more common for associated with harm. found negatively in two thirds articles. Introduced regardless attributed taxonomies, journals, globe, Our results support are persistently regarded harmful, a bias raises questions validity claims made them.

Language: Английский

---

The dramatic effects of well-intentioned but ill-designed management strategies in plant biological invasions

Nature Plants, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10(8), P. 1148 - 1152

Published: July 26, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Progress towards the control of invasive alien species in the Cape Floristic Region’s protected areas

Biological Invasions, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 27(1)

Published: Nov. 29, 2024

Abstract This paper assesses progress towards the control of biological invasions in 18 protected areas (PAs) covering 677 584 ha Cape Floristic Region (CFR), and whether has been sufficient to achieve Target 6 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We used eight indicators for assessing inputs (quality regulatory framework, money spent planning coverage species areas), outputs (species treated), outcomes (effectiveness area treatments) management. The estimated over 13 years (2010–2022) was ZAR 976 million, or 75 million per year. Management plans PAs were assessed as adequate 78.5% area, but only six out 226 regulated invasive had species-specific place. A total 567 alien occurred CFR’s PAs, which (i.e. that be controlled), 126 (55.8%) received some Spending highly skewed, with 60% all funding on trees shrubs genus Acacia . efforts reached 24% land within areas, higher national parks (60%) than provincial nature reserves (9%). effectiveness either permanent, effective partially 29 (20 due control), ineffective 25; remainder, there no management could not evaluated. conclude made respect controlling CFR, insufficient declining remains a significant barrier To increase efficiency, it will necessary secure additional from more diversified sources, make use prescribed fire, regularly monitor

Language: Английский

---

People’s Perception and Awareness towards Plant Invasion, Its Impacts on Forest Ecosystem Services and Livelihood: A Tale of Central Himalayas

Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 24, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Stacking and Burning Invasive Acacia saligna Trees in South African Fynbos: Can Native Plant Species Passively Recover?

African Journal of Ecology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 63(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

ABSTRACT The management of invasive taxa is crucial to mitigating their negative impacts and facilitating native biodiversity recovery. A common feature clearing trees in fire‐prone systems the ‘stack burning’ method. intense long duration heat experienced during burning, with areas at centre stack reaching over 300°C 175°C edge, often leaves persistent burn scars, limits recovery, facilitates secondary invasion, alters soil biotic, chemical physical conditions. Despite such impacts, burning remains a method for plants because it an economical way dispose plant biomass. Our study investigated recovery species 80 scars lowland fynbos (Cape Flats Sand Fynbos) mountain (Peninsula Sandstone South Africa 3 years after clearing. results indicate that (1) was limited (2) showed higher richness cover than fynbos. To encourage seed banks biota active seeding and/or by covering them topsoil recommended.

Language: Английский

---

Microclimatic changes caused by plant invasions and warming: uncovering thermal costs and benefits to a tortoise

Conservation Physiology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Non-native plant invasions and climate warming alter the microclimatic conditions that organisms experience in their habitats, with potential implications for fitness of native faunal species, particularly ectotherms. Predictions species conservation increasingly use microclimate data at fine spatial scales relevant to organisms, but they typically overlook modulating effect vegetation changes have on microclimates available habitat. Here we quantify imposed by invasive trees simultaneous habitats assess resulting thermal benefits costs a small tortoise (Homopus areolatus) from an organismal perspective throughout its life cycle. We logged operative temperature above- belowground field, covering diversity microhabitats across four seasons year, assessed species' optimal laboratory. Moving beyond common averages, applied range metrics differences between invaded areas spatio-temporal distributions, combined effects habitat suitability species. found became cooler less exposed temperatures above summer. This buffering is expected become more pronounced further warming, turning into refugia. However, reduced heterogeneity during warm periods, prevalent sub-optimal low winter colder underground incubation could be detrimental long-term performance. Our results reveal mixed nature plants ectotherms, underscoring importance applying suite distribution changes. The approach used here illustrates value integrating physiological information mechanistic understanding problems.

Language: Английский

---

South African contributions to the understanding of plant invasion ecology and management

South African Journal of Botany, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 181, P. 391 - 404

Published: April 25, 2025

Language: Английский

---

How inclusive is South Africa’s green economy? A qualitative case study of the Working for Water Programme

Third World Quarterly, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 18

Published: May 20, 2025

Language: Английский

---