WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Spectacular scenery, miles of coast and with lovely beaches and surfing waves and a diversity of flowers that cannot be found in other countries - that is South Africa! We are a rainbow nation not only in people but also in our flora and fauna.
However, these days, when you look out your car window or go for a walk in the mountains, very much of what you see are invasive plants like bramble and bugweed and balloon vine. We need to stop the spread of these invasive alien weeds and raise the interest and help of the South African people to the problems that all invasive alien species (IAS) bring both to us and our country and what we, as a member of the public can do about them.

Did you know that every group of animals, plants, birds, fish, and nunu’s have invasive species? These come from other areas or other countries, outcompete and replace our own plants and animals and transform our natural environment. Habitats, where our wild animals and birds live, are being rapidly reduced and destroyed. Invasive alien plants, trees and creepers are choking the grasslands and natural areas, making them impenetrable to many animals that should be thriving there. Elephant are the only creatures that can barge their way through the bad smelling Triffid weed (Chromolaena odorata) or Lantana. Many bird species appear to decline to nest in or even perch on certain alien trees and creepers. If one looks out over a green indigenous forest and thinks that all is great, think again, -- much of the green you see is Bugweed, Chromolaena and Lantana transforming the edge of the forest and much of the tree canopy green is balloon vine or morning glory. The situation is dire. And while on the topic, let’s remember that Indian Mynah’s, certain snails, vermin (rats), trout, etc should have had visa’s, but generally too late!

Many of these major aliens were brought into the country by our forefathers to plant in the gardens streets and parks, to be used as fruit or to be used in our timber plantations.  But now many of these species have jumped the garden fences and escaped from the plantations and are invading our watercourses, drinking the water and intensify the damage from flooding and soil erosion.

For the gardeners out there, keep yourself informed and remove those garden plants and trees like the Syringa tree, sword fern and the syngoniums that are now becoming the new invaders of the future and replace with water wise plants.