(see Davies et al. 2020, Chap. 23, Sect. 23.8.2). However, in this instance control
continued because the animals were within a national park and so ecological
imperatives overrode public sentiment. In Pretoria, residents successfully opposed
the listing of J. mimosifolia in the city because it produces an abundance of beautiful
purple flowers that residents admire; so much that the city is colloquially known as
the Jacaranda City (Dickie et al. 2014). This resonates with the ongoing vocal and
active opposition to the control of charismatic Pinus pinea (Umbrella Pine) on
Table Mountain (Gaertner et al. 2016).
In other situations, charisma is not at the forefront of opposition to the management of particular species and other human values can inspire opposition. For
example, a woman in Makhanda said she would refuse the removal of a
M. azedarach tree from her garden, not because of its beauty or charisma, but
because she had fond memories of her children playing in the tree. On the other
hand, some see it as ethically wrong to control invasive alien species. The killing of
Columba species (Pigeons), which some might view as uncharismatic, faced a lot of
opposition, as it is an animal and people enjoyed seeing them (Harris et al. 2017).
Similarly, citizens in Cape Town have responded “Everything can be annoying,
because its alive. . . we have to accept it” and “You should not kill them, you should
move them back to the Eastern Cape” with regards to the management of
S. gutturalis (Guttural Toad) that would not traditionally be considered as charismatic (Novoa et al. 2017), and did not come from the Eastern Cape (Telford et al.
2019). Many invasive species provide livelihood benefits, which lead to opposition
to their control, and has nothing to do with charisma (Shackleton et al. 2007). The
commercial importance of some species, e.g. in forestry or aquaculture, promote
resistance to management (van Wilgen and Richardson 2014; Zengeya et al. 2017).
While there was some evidence in support of this proposition, it generally appears
that a range of different motivations can catalyse resistance to control efforts, of
which species charisma is only one. The relative importance of each motivation can
only be tested through carefully chosen experiments with different stakeholders or
social groups. Moreover, in socially and culturally diverse countries, like
South Africa, the very construct of uniform notions of charisma may be questionable, particularly when more important factors, such as economics, are taken into
consideration. Therefore, improved engagement and decision support tools might
help to guide and prioritise management in the future (Gaertner et al. 2016; Novoa
et al. 2018).
24.5.2 Proposition 4b: Social Heterogeneity Increases
Conflicts Around the Management of Biological
Invasions
South Africa is colloquially known as the “rainbow nation”, reflecting its diversity
and mixing of multiple ethnic groups, cultures, races, languages and worldviews.
We propose that social heterogeneity increases conflicts around invasive species
24 The Social Dimensions of Biological Invasions in South Africa
717
continued because the animals were within a national park and so ecological
imperatives overrode public sentiment. In Pretoria, residents successfully opposed
the listing of J. mimosifolia in the city because it produces an abundance of beautiful
purple flowers that residents admire; so much that the city is colloquially known as
the Jacaranda City (Dickie et al. 2014). This resonates with the ongoing vocal and
active opposition to the control of charismatic Pinus pinea (Umbrella Pine) on
Table Mountain (Gaertner et al. 2016).
In other situations, charisma is not at the forefront of opposition to the management of particular species and other human values can inspire opposition. For
example, a woman in Makhanda said she would refuse the removal of a
M. azedarach tree from her garden, not because of its beauty or charisma, but
because she had fond memories of her children playing in the tree. On the other
hand, some see it as ethically wrong to control invasive alien species. The killing of
Columba species (Pigeons), which some might view as uncharismatic, faced a lot of
opposition, as it is an animal and people enjoyed seeing them (Harris et al. 2017).
Similarly, citizens in Cape Town have responded “Everything can be annoying,
because its alive. . . we have to accept it” and “You should not kill them, you should
move them back to the Eastern Cape” with regards to the management of
S. gutturalis (Guttural Toad) that would not traditionally be considered as charismatic (Novoa et al. 2017), and did not come from the Eastern Cape (Telford et al.
2019). Many invasive species provide livelihood benefits, which lead to opposition
to their control, and has nothing to do with charisma (Shackleton et al. 2007). The
commercial importance of some species, e.g. in forestry or aquaculture, promote
resistance to management (van Wilgen and Richardson 2014; Zengeya et al. 2017).
While there was some evidence in support of this proposition, it generally appears
that a range of different motivations can catalyse resistance to control efforts, of
which species charisma is only one. The relative importance of each motivation can
only be tested through carefully chosen experiments with different stakeholders or
social groups. Moreover, in socially and culturally diverse countries, like
South Africa, the very construct of uniform notions of charisma may be questionable, particularly when more important factors, such as economics, are taken into
consideration. Therefore, improved engagement and decision support tools might
help to guide and prioritise management in the future (Gaertner et al. 2016; Novoa
et al. 2018).
24.5.2 Proposition 4b: Social Heterogeneity Increases
Conflicts Around the Management of Biological
Invasions
South Africa is colloquially known as the “rainbow nation”, reflecting its diversity
and mixing of multiple ethnic groups, cultures, races, languages and worldviews.
We propose that social heterogeneity increases conflicts around invasive species
24 The Social Dimensions of Biological Invasions in South Africa
717