scholarly journals Microbial Communities in the Fynbos Region of South Africa: What Happens during Woody Alien Plant Invasions

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 254
Author(s):  
Karin Jacobs ◽  
Tersia Conradie ◽  
Shayne Jacobs
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Plant Invasions ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Alien Plants ◽  
Microbial Populations ◽  
Invasive Alien Plants ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
The Common ◽  
Insight Into

The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is globally known for its plant biodiversity, and its flora is commonly referred to as fynbos. At the same time, this area is under severe pressure from urbanization, agricultural expansion and the threat of invasive alien plants. Acacia, Eucalyptus and Pinus are the common invasive alien plants found across the biome and considerable time, effort and resources are put into the removal of invasive alien plants and the rehabilitation of native vegetation. Several studies have shown that invasion not only affects the composition of plant species, but also has a profound effect on the soil chemistry and microbial populations. Over the last few years, a number of studies have shown that the microbial populations of the CFR are unique to the area, and harbour many endemic species. The extent of the role they play in the invasion process is, however, still unclear. This review aims to provide an insight into the current knowledge on the different microbial populations from this system, and speculate what their role might be during invasion. More importantly, it places a spotlight on the lack of information about this process.

The emerging invasive alien plants of the Drakensberg Alpine Centre, southern Africa

Bothalia ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Carbutt
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Ability ◽  
Plant Invasions ◽  
Alien Plants ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Invasive Alien Plants ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Invasive Alien Plant ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Disturbed Habitats

An ‘early detection’-based desktop study has identified 23 taxa as ‘current’ emerging invasive alien plants in the Drakensberg Alpine Centre (DAC) and suggests a further 27 taxa as probable emerging invaders in the future. These 50 species are predicted to become problematic invasive plants in the DAC because they possess the necessary invasive attributes and have access to potentially suitable habitat that could result in them becoming major invaders. Most of the ‘current’ emerging invasive alien plant species of the DAC are of a northern-temperate affinity and belong to the families Fabaceae and Rosaceae (four taxa each), followed by Boraginaceae and Onagraceae (two taxa each). In terms of functional type (growth form), most taxa are shrubs (9), followed by herbs (8), tall trees (5), and a single climber. The need to undertake a fieldwork component is highlighted and a list of potential study sites to sample disturbed habitats is provided. A global change driver such as increased temperature is predicted to not only result in extirpation of native alpine species, but to also possibly render the environment more susceptible to alien plant invasions due to enhanced competitive ability and pre-adapted traits. A list of emerging invasive alien plants is essential to bring about swift management interventions to reduce the threat of such biological invasions.

scholarly journals Invasive alien plants occurring in Lesotho: Their ethnobotany, potential risks, distribution and origin

Bothalia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khotso Kobisi ◽  
Lerato Seleteng-Kose ◽  
Annah Moteetee
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Skin Irritation ◽  
Alien Plants ◽  
Invasive Alien Plants ◽  
Food Treatment ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Invasive Alien Plant ◽  
The Status ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Ethnobotanical Uses

Background: Several recent studies have documented the ethnobotanical uses of plants used in Lesotho, in particular those used for medicinal purposes. However, these reports did not make a distinction between indigenous, naturalised or invasive alien plants. Furthermore, the existing records on the status of the occurrence of these plants in the country are not up to date.Objectives: The aim of this article is to present information on the current knowledge regarding the status of invasive alien plant species in Lesotho and to discuss their ethnobotanical uses, distribution in the country, origin and safety. We further assess the existing legislation designed to regulate the spread of such plants and make a comparison with the invasiveness and regulation of such plants in the neighbouring South Africa.Method: This article is based mainly on a literature survey of published information obtained from various databases, such as Google Scholar, Science Direct and Scopus, as well as from unpublished data such as technical reports, dissertations and theses.Results: A total of 57 species, comprising one pteridophyte, one gymnosperm and 56 flowering plants (52 dicotyledons and 4 monocotyledons) are documented. Although these plants are invasive in nature, they are utilised for a variety of purposes including food, treatment of various medical conditions, cosmetics and functional uses. However, some of the species are reported to be poisonous to both animals and humans, with a majority of the plants causing skin irritation. Most of these species are widely distributed throughout the country and most of them originated from America, Europe and Asia. Although a number of reports on the occurrence of invasive alien plants have been generated, the information therein has not yet been published.Conclusion: This study has identified knowledge gaps in terms of safety and distribution of the species, as well as shortfalls in the policies intended to regulate invasive alien species (IAS) in Lesotho. Further research in this regard is therefore recommended.

scholarly journals Thermal landscape change as a driver of ectotherm responses to plant invasions

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1905) ◽  
pp. 20191020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raquel A. Garcia ◽  
Susana Clusella-Trullas
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Effects ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Plant Invasions ◽  
Alien Plants ◽  
Invasive Alien Plants ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Level Of Invasion

A growing body of research demonstrates the impacts of invasive alien plants on native animals, but few studies consider thermal effects as a driver of the responses of native organisms. As invasive alien plants establish and alter the composition and arrangement of plant communities, the thermal landscapes available to ectotherms also change. Our study reviews the research undertaken to date on the thermal effects of alien plant invasions on native reptiles, amphibians, insects and arachnids. The 37 studies published between 1970 and early 2019 portray an overall detrimental effect of invasive plants on thermal landscapes, ectothermic individuals' performance and species abundance, diversity and composition. With a case study of a lizard species, we illustrate the use of thermal ecology tools in plant invasion research and test the generality of alien plant effects: changes in thermoregulation behaviour in invaded landscapes varied depending on the level of invasion and lizard traits. Together, the literature review and case study show that thermal effects of alien plants on ectotherms can be substantial albeit context-dependent. Further research should cover multiple combinations of native/invasive plant growth forms, invasion stages and ectotherm traits. More attention is also needed to test causality along the chain of effects from thermal landscapes to individuals, populations and communities.

scholarly journals The role of rivers and streams in the migration of alien plants into the Polish Carpathians

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Zając ◽  
Barbara Tokarska-Guzik ◽  
Maria Zając
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Alien Plants ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Invasive Alien Plants ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
The Carpathians ◽  
Rivers And Streams ◽  
Polish Carpathians ◽  
River Valleys

The role of rivers and streams in the migration of alien plants into the Polish CarpathiansThe Carpathians are among the regions of Poland that are generally less susceptible to invasive alien plants. The factor limiting the spread of the species of this group is, above all, the mountain climate. Even species originating from other mountain regions, e.g. the HimalayanImpatiens glandulifera, have their localities only at low elevations, in the Carpathian foothills. In most cases, alien plant species migrate into the Carpathians from the lowlands. The river valleys provide the migration corridors used by alien species in the course of their progress into new territories of the upper mountain localities. The situation along some mountain rivers, where invasive alien species dominate the native vegetation, is dramatic. Their spread is facilitated not only by easy diaspore transport but also by some anthropogenic factors, such as, river engineering and the transformation of riparian habitats and progressing devastation. Currently, we can observe some invasive alien plants "in statu nascendi", developing a new, secondary range in the Carpathians (e.g.Chaerophyllum aureum) or at the foothills, along the Wisła (Vistula) and San river valleys (e.g.Eragrostis albensis). For some species, cities were the destination for the first stage of future migration, e.g.Acer negundo. In the Carpathians, where many national parks and nature reserves are located, the continuous monitoring of the spread of invasive alien plants should be one of the principal activities of botanists.

scholarly journals Historical costs and projected future scenarios for the management of invasive alien plants in protected areas in the Cape Floristic Region

2016 ◽  
Vol 200 ◽  
pp. 168-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian W. van Wilgen ◽  
Jennifer M. Fill ◽  
Johan Baard ◽  
Chad Cheney ◽  
Aurelia T. Forsyth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Cape Floristic Region ◽  
Alien Plants ◽  
Future Scenarios ◽  
Invasive Alien Plants

scholarly journals The Rate of Regeneration of Native Plant Species After Eradication of Invasive Alien Plant Species (Acacia Decurrens Willd.) in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melford Mbedzi ◽  
Milingoni Peter Tshisikhawe ◽  
Sebataolo Rahlao ◽  
Innocent Ndidzulafhi Sinthumule
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Alien Plants ◽  
Limpopo Province ◽  
Permanent Plots ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Invasive Alien Plants ◽  
Alien Plant ◽  
Native Plant Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Plant

Abstract Riparian invasive alien plants are known to compete with native plant species for water, space, daylight, and different other resources by decreasing structural diversity of native vegetation and subsequently changing the functioning of the ecosystem. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of native plant species recolonization after the eradication of A. decurrens. The investigation was done in the Waterberg District Municipality, Limpopo Province in a farm, which is highly infested with A. decurrens. Twenty-four permanent plots of 10 m x 10 m were constructed and the A. decurrens individuals in the plots were removed and the area was monitored for a period of 2 years. The size of quadrats was based on the size and distribution of the invasive alien plants which develop in an aggregated form and have exceptionally small canopies.

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