Biological Invasions in South Africa [electronic resource] / edited by Brian W. van Wilgen, John Measey, David M. Richardson, John R. Wilson, Tsungai A. Zengeya.

PART 1: BACKGROUND -- Chapter 1: Biological invasions in South Africa: An overview -- Chapter 2: A brief, selective history of researchers and research initiatives related to biological invasions in South Africa -- PART 2: BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA -- Chapter 3: The biogeography of South African terrestrial plant invasions -- Chapter 4:Invasive alien aquatic plants in freshwater ecosystems -- Chapter 5: Terrestrial Vertebrate Invasions in South Africa -- Chapter 6: Alien freshwater fauna in South Africa -- Chapter 7: Alien terrestrial invertebrates in South Africa -- Chapter 8: Biological invasions in South Africa's offshore sub-Antarctic territories -- Chapter 9: Coastal invasions: The South African context -- Chapter 10: Pathogens of vertebrate animals as invasive species: Insights from South Africa -- Chapter 11: Biological invasions in South Africa's urban ecosystems: Patterns, processes, impacts and management -- PART 3: DRIVERS OF INVASION -- Chapter 12: South Africa's pathways of introduction and dispersal and how they have changed over time -- Chapter 13: The role of environmental factors in promoting and limiting biological invasions in South Africa -- Chapter 14: Biotic interactions as mediators of biological invasions: Insights from South Africa -- PART 4: IMPACTS OF INVASION -- Chapter 15:Impacts of invasions on terrestrial water resources in South Africa -- Chapter 16:The impact of invasive alien plants on rangelands in South Africa -- Chapter 17: An evaluation of the impacts of alien species on biodiversity in South Africa using different methods -- PART 5: MANAGEMENT OF INVASIONS -- Chapter 18: Biological invasion policy and legislation development and implementation in South Africa -- Chapter 19: More than a century of biological control against invasive alien plants in South Africa: a synoptic view of what has been accomplished -- Chapter 20:Analysing the risks posed by biological invasions to South Africa -- Chapter 21:The extent and effectiveness of alien plant control projects in South Africa -- Chapter 22: Experience and lessons from alien and invasive animal control projects carried out in South Africa -- Chapter 23: Biological invasions and ecological restoration in South Africa -- Chapter 24: The social dimensions of biological invasions in South Africa -- Chapter 25: Education, training and capacity building in the field of biological invasions in South Africa -- PART 6: NEW INSIGHTS -- Chapter 26: South Africa as a donor of naturalized and invasive alien plants to other parts of the world -- Chapter 27: South Africa as a donor of alien animals -- Chapter 28: Knowing-doing continuum or knowing-doing gap? Transferring research results to managers of biological invasions in South Africa -- Chapter 29: Biological invasions as a component of South Africa's global change research effort -- Chapter 30: South Africa's Centre for Invasion Biology: An experiment in invasion science for society -- PART 7: THE WAY FORWARD -- Chapter 31:Potential futures of biological invasions in South Africa.

Open Access

This open access volume presents a comprehensive account of all aspects of biological invasions in South Africa, where research has been conducted over more than three decades, and where bold initiatives have been implemented in attempts to control invasions and to reduce their ecological, economic and social effects. It covers a broad range of themes, including history, policy development and implementation, the status of invasions of animals and plants in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments, the development of a robust ecological theory around biological invasions, the effectiveness of management interventions, and scenarios for the future. The South African situation stands out because of the remarkable diversity of the country, and the wide range of problems encountered in its varied ecosystems, which has resulted in a disproportionate investment into both research and management. The South African experience holds many lessons for other parts of the world, and this book should be of immense value to researchers, students, managers, and policy-makers who deal with biological invasions and ecosystem management and conservation in most other regions.