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Clearing invasive plants like pine trees in South Africa. Samantha Reinders/The Washington Post/Getty Images

February 24, 2025

South Africa’s famous fynbos must be preserved – but burning invasive plants on site isn’t the best strategy

Mlungele M. Nsikani, South African National Biodiversity Institute

Burning invasive plants on site creates scars and prevents natural vegetation from growing back quickly.

Alien trees threaten biodiversity, increase the risk of wildfires and also guzzle water. Photo courtesy Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve

May 4, 2022

Removing alien plants can save water: we measured how much

Alanna Rebelo, Agricultural Research Council; Karen Joan Esler, Stellenbosch University; Mark New, University of Cape Town, and Petra Holden, University of Cape Town

Clearing alien trees from mountain catchments is a more cost-effective approach to providing water than building and maintaining desalination plants.

Jacaranda trees in Pretoria. Shutterstock

July 5, 2021

Jacarandas in parts of South Africa are flowering earlier: why it’s a warning sign

Jennifer Fitchett, University of the Witwatersrand

Climate change is causing jacarandas to flower earlier. If this trend continues, they could be at risk of flowering when it’s too cold and become dormant.

Invasive pine trees in the Western Cape have affected lizards causing their numbers to drop significantly. Author supplied

September 11, 2017

Invasive plants have a much bigger impact than we imagine

Susana Clusella-Trullas, Stellenbosch University and Raquel A Garcia, Stellenbosch University

Invasive plants have an impact on native species and unless these factors are properly understood, it is difficult to predict what sort of impact invasive plants will have.

Managing trout is a contentious issue with conflicting views about whether they pose a risk, or are beneficial. Shutterstock

July 10, 2017

South Africa should sort out the bad from the really bad on its invasive species list

Tsungai Zengeya, South African National Biodiversity Institute

Regulating species in South Africa is difficult. But identifying those creating the greatest tension, would shift focus on the most destructive species.

The larger grain borer beetle attacks crops like maize and cassava, threatening food security. Shutterstock

June 14, 2017

Alien animals and plants are on the rise in Africa, exacting a growing toll

Katelyn Faulkner, University of Pretoria; Brett Hurley, University of Pretoria, and Mark Robertson, University of Pretoria

Many alien plants and animals have been introduced to Africa from other regions and spread from country to country, often having devastating effects.

South Africa’s Proteaceae family, makes up a part of fynbos, a floral region with plants unique to South Africa Cape Town’s Table Mountain National Park. Shutterstock

October 2, 2016

Protecting biodiversity: people’s buy‑in is as important as the science

Karen Joan Esler, Stellenbosch University

Restoring habitats have numerous benefits, they can also benefit humanity. But it is for people to be convinced that they can actually do good.

The mesquite tree was introduced into South Africa to aid farmers and local communities. It is now invasive in most parts of the country. Shutterstock

July 26, 2016

How South Africa’s second most invasive tree can be managed better

Ross Shackleton, Stellenbosch University

The invasive mesquite tree has a negative impact on everything from biodiversity to human health. Management programmes are crucial.

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