ensuring that the existence of multiple goals does not lead to confusion over
priorities; developing methods to reduce the under-estimation of the costs of
control; adherence to best practices and standards; simplifying the currently
complex contracting and employment models; and using a variety of methods to
resolve or reduce conflicts over species that have commercial or other value, but
cause significant environmental damage. Addressing these challenges will be
difficult, but would be essential if plant invasions in South Africa are to be
brought under control.
21.1 Introduction
Attempts to control invasive alien plants have a long history in South Africa. While
we do not have detailed knowledge of early control efforts, regulations relating to
invasive plant management date back to 1861 (see Lukey and Hall 2020, Chap. 18).
The first biological control agents were introduced over 100 years ago (Moran et al.
2013). The government made attempts to control pines (Pinus species), gums
(Eucalyptus species) and hakeas (Hakea species) in grassland and fynbos areas
near Makhanda (Grahamstown) as early as the 1930s (Macdonald 2004). In 1943,
operations were introduced to control invasive alien pines, wattles (Australian
Acacia species) and gums in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve on the Cape
Peninsula (Macdonald et al. 1989). Attempts to control invasive alien plants in the
Kruger National Park began in the 1950s (Foxcroft and Freitag-Ronaldson 2007).
In 1968, legislation was enacted and an eradication programme initiated against
Solanum elaeagnifolium (Satansbos), although eradication was never achieved
(Wilson et al. 2013). In 1976, the Department of Forestry scaled up its efforts to
control invasive alien plants in the mountain catchment areas in the Western Cape
(Fugler 1983; Fenn 1980), but after a decade the programme fell behind schedule,
and essentially came to a halt when the responsibility for managing catchment areas
was transferred to the provinces in the late 1980s (van Wilgen and Wannenburgh
2016). In 1995, efforts to control invasive alien plants across the whole country
were started afresh under the auspices of the Working for Water (WfW)
Programme. This public works programme has the dual goals of controlling invasive alien plants while at the same time creating employment and development
opportunities for disadvantaged people in rural areas (van Wilgen and
Wannenburgh 2016). This chapter reviews the extent to which projects dealing
with terrestrial plant invaders have been implemented across the country, and their
costs and effectiveness. Chapter 4 (Hill et al. 2020a) discusses progress and
challenges relating to the management of aquatic plant invaders.
598
B. W. van Wilgen et al.
priorities; developing methods to reduce the under-estimation of the costs of
control; adherence to best practices and standards; simplifying the currently
complex contracting and employment models; and using a variety of methods to
resolve or reduce conflicts over species that have commercial or other value, but
cause significant environmental damage. Addressing these challenges will be
difficult, but would be essential if plant invasions in South Africa are to be
brought under control.
21.1 Introduction
Attempts to control invasive alien plants have a long history in South Africa. While
we do not have detailed knowledge of early control efforts, regulations relating to
invasive plant management date back to 1861 (see Lukey and Hall 2020, Chap. 18).
The first biological control agents were introduced over 100 years ago (Moran et al.
2013). The government made attempts to control pines (Pinus species), gums
(Eucalyptus species) and hakeas (Hakea species) in grassland and fynbos areas
near Makhanda (Grahamstown) as early as the 1930s (Macdonald 2004). In 1943,
operations were introduced to control invasive alien pines, wattles (Australian
Acacia species) and gums in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve on the Cape
Peninsula (Macdonald et al. 1989). Attempts to control invasive alien plants in the
Kruger National Park began in the 1950s (Foxcroft and Freitag-Ronaldson 2007).
In 1968, legislation was enacted and an eradication programme initiated against
Solanum elaeagnifolium (Satansbos), although eradication was never achieved
(Wilson et al. 2013). In 1976, the Department of Forestry scaled up its efforts to
control invasive alien plants in the mountain catchment areas in the Western Cape
(Fugler 1983; Fenn 1980), but after a decade the programme fell behind schedule,
and essentially came to a halt when the responsibility for managing catchment areas
was transferred to the provinces in the late 1980s (van Wilgen and Wannenburgh
2016). In 1995, efforts to control invasive alien plants across the whole country
were started afresh under the auspices of the Working for Water (WfW)
Programme. This public works programme has the dual goals of controlling invasive alien plants while at the same time creating employment and development
opportunities for disadvantaged people in rural areas (van Wilgen and
Wannenburgh 2016). This chapter reviews the extent to which projects dealing
with terrestrial plant invaders have been implemented across the country, and their
costs and effectiveness. Chapter 4 (Hill et al. 2020a) discusses progress and
challenges relating to the management of aquatic plant invaders.
598
B. W. van Wilgen et al.