Chapter 11
Biological Invasions in South Africa’s
Urban Ecosystems: Patterns, Processes,
Impacts, and Management
Luke J. Potgieter , Errol Douwes , Mirijam Gaertner ,
John Measey , Trudy Paap , and David M. Richardson
Abstract As in other parts of the world, urban ecosystems in South Africa have
large numbers of alien species, many of which are invasive. Whereas invasions in
South Africa’s natural systems are strongly structured by biotic and abiotic features
of the region’s biomes, the imprint of these features is much less marked in urban
ecosystems that exist as islands of human-dominated and highly modified habitat.
Surprisingly little work has been done to document how invasive species spread in
South African urban ecosystems, affect biodiversity, ecosystem services and human
well-being, or to document the human perceptions of alien and invasive species, and
the challenges associated with managing invasions in cities. This chapter reviews the
current knowledge of patterns, processes, impacts and management of invasions in
South African urban ecosystems. It highlights unique aspects of invasion dynamics
in South African urban ecosystems, and identifies priorities for research, and key
L. J. Potgieter (*) · J. Measey · D. M. Richardson
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
e-mail: lukepotgieter2@gmail.com
E. Douwes
Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department, eThekwini Municipality,
eThekwini, South Africa
School of Life Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
M. Gaertner
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Sciences (HFWU), Nürtingen, Germany
T. Paap
Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Department of Microbiology and Plant
Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
© The Author(s) 2020
B. W. van Wilgen et al. (eds.), Biological Invasions in South Africa, Invading
Nature - Springer Series in Invasion Ecology 14,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3_11
275
Biological Invasions in South Africa’s
Urban Ecosystems: Patterns, Processes,
Impacts, and Management
Luke J. Potgieter , Errol Douwes , Mirijam Gaertner ,
John Measey , Trudy Paap , and David M. Richardson
Abstract As in other parts of the world, urban ecosystems in South Africa have
large numbers of alien species, many of which are invasive. Whereas invasions in
South Africa’s natural systems are strongly structured by biotic and abiotic features
of the region’s biomes, the imprint of these features is much less marked in urban
ecosystems that exist as islands of human-dominated and highly modified habitat.
Surprisingly little work has been done to document how invasive species spread in
South African urban ecosystems, affect biodiversity, ecosystem services and human
well-being, or to document the human perceptions of alien and invasive species, and
the challenges associated with managing invasions in cities. This chapter reviews the
current knowledge of patterns, processes, impacts and management of invasions in
South African urban ecosystems. It highlights unique aspects of invasion dynamics
in South African urban ecosystems, and identifies priorities for research, and key
L. J. Potgieter (*) · J. Measey · D. M. Richardson
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
e-mail: lukepotgieter2@gmail.com
E. Douwes
Environmental Planning and Climate Protection Department, eThekwini Municipality,
eThekwini, South Africa
School of Life Sciences, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
M. Gaertner
Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Sciences (HFWU), Nürtingen, Germany
T. Paap
Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Department of Microbiology and Plant
Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, South Africa
© The Author(s) 2020
B. W. van Wilgen et al. (eds.), Biological Invasions in South Africa, Invading
Nature - Springer Series in Invasion Ecology 14,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3_11
275