In the next few decades unintentional introductions to South Africa are likely to
continue at an increasing rate (Faulkner and Wilson 2018). A number of pathways
whereby alien organisms are accidentally introduced as stowaways on transport
vectors are predicted to increase in socio-economic importance in the future
(Fig. 12.1, see Faulkner and Wilson 2018). For instance, shipping intensity (see
Box 12.3) and the contribution of travel and tourism to South Africa’s Gross
Domestic Product are expected to increase (Figs. 12.1 and 12.9). Unfortunately,
for most of these pathways no measures are in place to prevent the introduction of
alien species (for an example see Box 12.3), and unless this changes [as has recently
been done at a global level for ballast water (see Box 12.3)] their predicted increase
in socio-economic importance might result in an increase in the rate at which alien
taxa are introduced (Faulkner and Wilson 2018). Changes at regional and global
scales (e.g. changes to climate and trade agreements) will also affect South Africa’s
pathways of introduction in the future. As an example, the quantity of goods
imported by mainland African countries is predicted to increase over the next few
years (Fig. 12.13). As a consequence of this and the proposed free trade zone within
Africa [African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA)], there could be an increase
in the number of taxa being introduced to other African countries and then dispersing
either unaided or with the help of humans into South Africa (Fig. 12.1; also see Box
12.5). As it is extremely difficult to prevent these introductions, stronger regional
co-operation will be required (Faulkner et al. 2017a).
12.3 Conclusion
Many alien taxa have been intentionally and accidentally introduced to South Africa,
and have subsequently become widely dispersed. Over time, increasing travel and
trade, the development of new technologies, and changing human interests and
attitudes have greatly influenced South Africa’s pathways of introduction and
dispersal. Consequently, the relative importance of existing pathways has changed
over time and new pathways have developed. Currently, alien taxa are being
introduced to and dispersing within South Africa through a wide variety of pathways, with introductions occurring at an increasing rate. While there have been
attempts to manage some pathways, many pathways are becoming increasingly
difficult to manage, and for some pathways management plans have not been
implemented. To better inform management, a good understanding of the pathways
of introduction and dispersal is required. Unfortunately, for many taxa information
on pathways of introduction is not available (Faulkner et al. 2015). This could have
large consequences as uncertainties regarding pathway importance could influence
the prioritisation of pathways for management, and lead to the ineffective allocation
of resources. Furthermore, while there have been broad studies of South Africa’s
pathways of introduction (e.g. Faulkner et al. 2016, 2017a), and some specific
pathways have received research attention [e.g. medicinal plant trade (Byrne et al.
2017; Burness 2019), aquatic plant trade (Martin and Coetzee 2011), shipping
(Faulkner et al. 2017b), pet trade (Nelufule 2018; Shivambu 2018), recreational
boating (Peters et al. 2019), and contaminants on imported plants (Saccaggi and
346
K. T. Faulkner et al.
continue at an increasing rate (Faulkner and Wilson 2018). A number of pathways
whereby alien organisms are accidentally introduced as stowaways on transport
vectors are predicted to increase in socio-economic importance in the future
(Fig. 12.1, see Faulkner and Wilson 2018). For instance, shipping intensity (see
Box 12.3) and the contribution of travel and tourism to South Africa’s Gross
Domestic Product are expected to increase (Figs. 12.1 and 12.9). Unfortunately,
for most of these pathways no measures are in place to prevent the introduction of
alien species (for an example see Box 12.3), and unless this changes [as has recently
been done at a global level for ballast water (see Box 12.3)] their predicted increase
in socio-economic importance might result in an increase in the rate at which alien
taxa are introduced (Faulkner and Wilson 2018). Changes at regional and global
scales (e.g. changes to climate and trade agreements) will also affect South Africa’s
pathways of introduction in the future. As an example, the quantity of goods
imported by mainland African countries is predicted to increase over the next few
years (Fig. 12.13). As a consequence of this and the proposed free trade zone within
Africa [African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTFA)], there could be an increase
in the number of taxa being introduced to other African countries and then dispersing
either unaided or with the help of humans into South Africa (Fig. 12.1; also see Box
12.5). As it is extremely difficult to prevent these introductions, stronger regional
co-operation will be required (Faulkner et al. 2017a).
12.3 Conclusion
Many alien taxa have been intentionally and accidentally introduced to South Africa,
and have subsequently become widely dispersed. Over time, increasing travel and
trade, the development of new technologies, and changing human interests and
attitudes have greatly influenced South Africa’s pathways of introduction and
dispersal. Consequently, the relative importance of existing pathways has changed
over time and new pathways have developed. Currently, alien taxa are being
introduced to and dispersing within South Africa through a wide variety of pathways, with introductions occurring at an increasing rate. While there have been
attempts to manage some pathways, many pathways are becoming increasingly
difficult to manage, and for some pathways management plans have not been
implemented. To better inform management, a good understanding of the pathways
of introduction and dispersal is required. Unfortunately, for many taxa information
on pathways of introduction is not available (Faulkner et al. 2015). This could have
large consequences as uncertainties regarding pathway importance could influence
the prioritisation of pathways for management, and lead to the ineffective allocation
of resources. Furthermore, while there have been broad studies of South Africa’s
pathways of introduction (e.g. Faulkner et al. 2016, 2017a), and some specific
pathways have received research attention [e.g. medicinal plant trade (Byrne et al.
2017; Burness 2019), aquatic plant trade (Martin and Coetzee 2011), shipping
(Faulkner et al. 2017b), pet trade (Nelufule 2018; Shivambu 2018), recreational
boating (Peters et al. 2019), and contaminants on imported plants (Saccaggi and
346
K. T. Faulkner et al.