Takalani Nelufule

South African National Biodiversity Institute

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Mark P. Robertson

University of Pretoria

Katelyn T. Faulkner

University of Pretoria

John R. Wilson

South African National Biodiversity Institute

Moleseng C. Moshobane

South African National Biodiversity Institute

Tinyiko C. Shivambu

Tshwane University of Technology

Ndivhuwo Shivambu

Tshwane University of Technology

Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai

Tshwane University of Technology

Tshifhiwa Nangammbi

Tshwane University of Technology

Tshifhiwa C. Thenga

Sabrina Kumschick

Stellenbosch University

Cooperative Institutions

University of KwaZulu-Natal

South African National Biodiversity Institute

National Biodiversity Institute

University of Pretoria

Stellenbosch University

Tshwane University of Technology

University of Venda

Rhodes University

University of the Witwatersrand

University of the Free State

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Figshare (2023)

Takalani Nelufule Mark P. Robertson John R. Wilson Katelyn T. Faulkner

This dataset contains coulums in the list of native-alien populations in South Africa.

10.6084/m9.figshare.21084838.v5

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List of native-alien populations in South Africa.csv

Figshare (2023)

Takalani Nelufule Mark P. Robertson John R. Wilson Katelyn T. Faulkner

10.6084/m9.figshare.21084829.v11

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Assessing Alien Plant Invasions in Urban Environments: A Case Study of Tshwane University of Technology and Implications for Biodiversity Conservation

Plants (2024)

Takalani Nelufule Tinyiko C. Shivambu Ndivhuwo Shivambu Moleseng C. Moshobane Nimmi Seoraj-Pillai

Preserving the dwindling native biodiversity in urban settings poses escalating challenges due to the confinement of remaining natural areas to isolated and diminutive patches. Remarkably scarce research has scrutinised the involvement of institutions, particularly universities, in introducing alien plant species in South Africa, thus creating a significant gap in effective monitoring and management. In this study, the Tshwane University of Technology in Tshwane Metropole, South Africa serves as a focal point, where we conducted a comprehensive survey of alien plants both within the university premises and beyond its confines. The investigation involved the classification of invasion status and a meticulous assessment of donor and recipient dynamics. Our findings encompass 876 occurrence records, revealing the presence of 94 alien plant species spanning 44 distinct families. Noteworthy occurrences among the dominant plant families are Asteraceae and Solanaceae. Herbaceous and woody plants emerged as the most prevalent alien species, with common representation across both sampling sites. A substantial majority of recorded species were initially introduced for horticultural purposes (51%) before escaping and establishing self-sustaining populations (62%). Furthermore, 43 species identified are listed in South African invasive species legislation, with some manifesting invasive tendencies and altering the distribution of native species in the remaining natural areas. The notable overlap in species observed between the university premises and adjacent areas provides crucial insights into the influence of institutions on the dynamics of plant invasions within the urban landscape. This underscores the prevailing gaps in the management of invasive alien plants in urban zones and accentuates the imperative of an integrated approach involving collaboration between municipalities and diverse institutions for effective invasive species management in urban environments.

Alien species

Native plant

10.3390/plants13060872

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Citations (2)

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Figshare (2022)

Takalani Nelufule Mark P. Robertson John R. Wilson Katelyn T. Faulkner

This dataset contains a list of native-alien populations in South Africa, including information on their degree of establishment, pathways, first record data, potential impacts, etc.

10.6084/m9.figshare.21084838.v1

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The threats posed by the pet trade in alien terrestrial invertebrates in South Africa

Journal for Nature Conservation (2020)

Takalani Nelufule Mark P. Robertson John R. Wilson Katelyn T. Faulkner Catherine L. Sole

DNA Barcoding

10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125831

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Citations (24)

List of native-alien populations in South Africa

Figshare (2023)

Takalani Nelufule Mark P. Robertson John R. Wilson Katelyn T. Faulkner

Native-alien population is defined as a population that is within a country to which the species is native and founded by individuals moved by direct human agency (or substantial indirect human agency) over a biogeographical barrier to an area beyond the species’ native range (Nelufule et al. 2022). This dataset followed the data structure used for the species list of South Africa’s second national status report on biological invasions ‘The status of biological invasions and their management in South Africa in 2019' (Zengeya and Wilson 2020). This represents the first inventory of native-alien populations in South Africa, and is a step towards a greater understanding of native-alien populations and the biosecurity threat they pose. Reference Nelufule T, Robertson MP, Wilson JRU, Faulkner KT (2022) Native-alien populations—an apparent oxymoron that requires specific conservation attention. NeoBiota 74: 57–74, https://doi.org/10.3897/neobiota.74.81671 Zengeya, T. A. & Wilson, J. R. U. (eds.). The status of biological invasions and their management in South Africa in 2019. pp.71. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch and DSI-NRFCentre of Excellence for Invasion Biology, Stellenbosch. (2020).

10.6084/m9.figshare.21084829.v24

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List of native-alien populations in South Africa.csv

Figshare (2023)

Takalani Nelufule Mark P. Robertson John R. Wilson Katelyn T. Faulkner

10.6084/m9.figshare.21084829.v17

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Occurrence Record of and Possible Invasion by Scarlet Sage (Salvia coccinea Buc’hoz ex Etl.) in South Africa

Russian Journal of Biological Invasions (2020)

Moleseng C. Moshobane Takalani Nelufule Tinyiko C. Shivambu Ndivhuwo Shivambu

Salvia

10.1134/s2075111720040098

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Citations (4)

Alien Plant Species Richness in Urban Protected Biodiversity Areas: A Case Study of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

Diversity (2024)

Takalani Nelufule Tshifhiwa C. Thenga Tinyiko C. Shivambu Ndivhuwo Shivambu Moleseng C. Moshobane

Urban protected biodiversity areas conserve some of the world’s critically endangered and isolated biodiversity while providing essential ecosystem services. However, these urban habitats are threatened by the presence of alien and invasive plants. We studied alien plant species richness and identified the potential predictors in urban protected biodiversity areas in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. Data on alien plant species were collected through surveys and consultations with protected area managers. We determined the relationship between the observed species richness and potential alien plant species predictors, such as area size, number of visitors, proximity to residential areas, and the year the reserve was proclaimed. We documented 574 records of 189 alien plant species from 60 families across 14 protected areas. Phanerophytes were the most common (46.5%), with many species native to South America, North America, and Africa. Most species have formed naturalised populations (67.7%), followed by invasive populations (20.6%) and casual populations (12%), posing future invasion threats. Most species (55.5%) were introduced as ornamental plants, with many of these species forming invasive populations. Half the recorded species were listed under the NEM:BA A&IS regulations, mostly categorized as 1b. Our findings indicate that the annual number of visitors strongly predicted alien plant species richness in urban protected areas. Additionally, a significant negative correlation was observed between species richness and the proximity to residential areas and years since the proclamation. Understanding the distribution patterns and predictors of species richness is crucial in monitoring invasive alien species and conserving biodiversity in urban environments.

Native plant

10.3390/d16080461

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The invasion threat of the emerging alien cactus Cylindropuntia pallida (Rosa), F.M. Knuth in South Africa and the potential for control using herbicides

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (2024)

Thabiso Michael Mokotjomela Takalani Nelufule Zimbini Scott Loyd Rodney Vukeya Travor Xivuri

The emerging alien cactus Cylindropuntia pallida (Rose) F.M. Knuth originates from northern Mexico and introduced into South Africa in 1940s as an ornamental plant. Multiple populations of C. pallida have been detected in various areas of South Africa. C. pallida has effective propagule dispersal and rapid recruitment making it a likely key future invader, and thus, is a target for eradication in South Africa. To eradicate C. pallida populations, a foliar spray (i.e. using a 2% concentration of herbicide with fluroxypyr and triclopyr) has been applied to plants in nine populations, with population sizes ranging between 535 and 2701 plants and populations covering areas of 100 -1000 ha. The aims of the study were to investigate the efficacy of the foliar spray method used to eradicate C. pallida; to investigate the impacts of C. pallida invasions on native vegetation integrity; to apply species distribution models (SDMs) to identify suitable climates for C. pallida in South Africa; and to document the biomes vulnerable to the negative impact of C. pallida in South Africa. Results show that foliar spray killed many C. pallida plants (mean percentage of dead plants ± SE, 83.3 ± 6.4; n = 9; range, 70-96%), with adult plants taking about 2 months to die completely. The efficacy of the herbicide was not affected by plant size or the concentration of the herbicide used. The invaded site had significantly greater vegetation cover which persisted across winter compared to the uninvaded site, but the latter site's vegetation cover significantly dropped in winter. Also, the invaded site had lower plant species diversity than the uninvaded site and was dominated by species in the Poaceae and Asteraceae plant families. Additionally, a normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) analysis shows that the uninvaded site has higher vegetation cover and health than the invaded site wherein a notable decline in vegetation health was observed between 2019 and 2022. A large area (> 15 million hectares) was predicted to be suitable for invasion by C. pallida in provinces with arid and warm temperate climates - the fynbos and grassland biomes are the most vulnerable. Because of the observed negative impacts, high environmental compatibility, and high cost of clearing large infestations, we advocate for considering the biocontrol method for effectively managing C. pallida invasion in South Africa.

Alien species

10.1007/s10661-024-12821-w

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Citations (3)