report (van Wilgen and Herbst 2017). The report provided a detailed account of the
situation across SANParks’ estate, listing 869 alien species in 19 national parks, and
concluding that greater attention would need to be paid to the development of
outcomes-based monitoring procedures, and of standardised operating procedures
and frameworks to guide management, both of which are currently weak.
Fig. 2.9 Wayne Lotter, who initiated some of the first scientific studies on alien plant control in the
Kruger National Park. Photograph courtesy of Krissie Clark/PAMS Foundation
Fig. 2.10 Melodie McGeoch (a) who was the first manager of South African National Parks’ Cape
Research Centre, and who conceptualised the project that examined the impact of global change
drivers (including invasions) on South Africa’s national parks. The report was completed by Nicola
van Wilgen (b) after McGeoch had emigrated to Australia in 2012. Photographs courtesy of: (a)
Melodie McGeoch; (b) Nicola van Wilgen
2 A Brief, Selective History of Researchers and Research Initiatives
47