In South Africa, there has been limited implementation of ecological restoration
results from published scientific papers, popular articles and guidelines, despite the
need to scale up restoration interventions in the field. If we are to apply nature-based
solutions to the urgent global challenges of invasive alien species, ecosystem
degradation and climate change, ecological restoration efforts should be intensified.
The limited action so far may relate to resource limitations, especially for active
restoration interventions as these may be particularly resource-intensive. Funding
streams for invasive plant management in South Africa currently focus on the
removal of invasive alien plant stands, and a shift in mind-set is needed to incorporate restoration goals. For instance, spontaneous regeneration approaches that are
less resource-intensive than active restoration can easily be applied at scale. An
example is to plan and apply the optimal clearing methods and timing of interventions correctly to ensure invasive alien removal is successful without damaging
native species or seed banks, thus promoting the probability of spontaneous regeneration and reducing long-term restoration costs.
It is important to promote stakeholder involvement in restoration projects as this
is more likely to result in securing resources for larger-scale implementation. One
example of this is the Blaauwberg Sand Fynbos project where researchers, conservation managers, volunteers and other organisations are involved. Ecological restoration is being implemented as and when resources are secured. Another example is
the Berg River restoration project which involves government agencies, researchers,
land-owners, restoration practitioners and other stakeholders who together plan and
implement restoration interventions in the field.
Despite the above examples, South Africa has a long way to go to meet the
required international targets, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity 2020
Aichi Target 14 (restore and protect ecosystems providing essential services) and
Target 15 (restore 15% of degraded ecosystems to contribute to climate change
mitigation and adaptation).
Acknowledgements Much of the work reviewed in this chapter was supported by the DSI-NRF
Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology and the Natural Resources Management programme of
the Department Of Environmental Affairs as part of the collaborative research project on “Integrated management of invasive alien species in South Africa”. Additional support was provided by
the National Research Foundation (grant 85417).
References
Anderson SJ, Ankor BL, Sutton PC (2017) Ecosystem service valuations of South Africa using a
variety of land cover data sources and resolutions. Ecosys Serv 27:173–178. https://doi.org/10.
1016/j.ecoser.2017.06.001
Aronson J, Milton SJ, Blignaut JN (2007) Restoring natural capital: definitions and rationale. In:
Aronson J, Milton SJ, Blignaut JN (eds) Restoring natural capital; science, business and
practice. Island Press, Washington DC, pp 3–8
23 Biological Invasions and Ecological Restoration in South Africa
691
results from published scientific papers, popular articles and guidelines, despite the
need to scale up restoration interventions in the field. If we are to apply nature-based
solutions to the urgent global challenges of invasive alien species, ecosystem
degradation and climate change, ecological restoration efforts should be intensified.
The limited action so far may relate to resource limitations, especially for active
restoration interventions as these may be particularly resource-intensive. Funding
streams for invasive plant management in South Africa currently focus on the
removal of invasive alien plant stands, and a shift in mind-set is needed to incorporate restoration goals. For instance, spontaneous regeneration approaches that are
less resource-intensive than active restoration can easily be applied at scale. An
example is to plan and apply the optimal clearing methods and timing of interventions correctly to ensure invasive alien removal is successful without damaging
native species or seed banks, thus promoting the probability of spontaneous regeneration and reducing long-term restoration costs.
It is important to promote stakeholder involvement in restoration projects as this
is more likely to result in securing resources for larger-scale implementation. One
example of this is the Blaauwberg Sand Fynbos project where researchers, conservation managers, volunteers and other organisations are involved. Ecological restoration is being implemented as and when resources are secured. Another example is
the Berg River restoration project which involves government agencies, researchers,
land-owners, restoration practitioners and other stakeholders who together plan and
implement restoration interventions in the field.
Despite the above examples, South Africa has a long way to go to meet the
required international targets, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity 2020
Aichi Target 14 (restore and protect ecosystems providing essential services) and
Target 15 (restore 15% of degraded ecosystems to contribute to climate change
mitigation and adaptation).
Acknowledgements Much of the work reviewed in this chapter was supported by the DSI-NRF
Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology and the Natural Resources Management programme of
the Department Of Environmental Affairs as part of the collaborative research project on “Integrated management of invasive alien species in South Africa”. Additional support was provided by
the National Research Foundation (grant 85417).
References
Anderson SJ, Ankor BL, Sutton PC (2017) Ecosystem service valuations of South Africa using a
variety of land cover data sources and resolutions. Ecosys Serv 27:173–178. https://doi.org/10.
1016/j.ecoser.2017.06.001
Aronson J, Milton SJ, Blignaut JN (2007) Restoring natural capital: definitions and rationale. In:
Aronson J, Milton SJ, Blignaut JN (eds) Restoring natural capital; science, business and
practice. Island Press, Washington DC, pp 3–8
23 Biological Invasions and Ecological Restoration in South Africa
691