The Impacts Of Invasive Alien Plants

The Impacts Of trespassing(a) Alien PlantsChapter 1enquiry on the touch ons of invasive extraneous plants (IAP) on biodiversity, ecosystem services and processes name been healthful documented in the literature. Furthermore, the essential focus of this seek was the negative impacts associated with IAPs when there are virtually benefits associated with these plants. Limited research has excessively dole out the issue of IAP impact on the dungeons and wellorganism of local land-users. Seeing that limited re outsets are available to address the issue of IAP at large, quantification of stakeholder perception is needed to maximise IAP way.Through this thesis, an investigation into the spread and impacts of IAPs in the rude parts of the Agulhas Plain as well as the perceptions, uses, cost and benefits associated with IAPs and the importance of these plants to the livelihoods of the local communities was carried out. The purpose of this research is to provide a better understa nding of the mathematical impacts of invasive plant species on the livelihoods of people. This local friendship can aid researchers by providing context specific information about impacts, which can then be employ for future preservation actions.MotivationThe detrimental effects of IAPs on ecosystems and biodiversity, ecosystem goods and services the economy of homophile enterprises and human health have been well documented in the literature (e.g. Geesing et al. 2004, Nel et al. 2004, Shackleton et al. 2007). Invasion by alien species have been reported as a major threat to the biodiversity and function of sensitive ecosystems (Turpie et al. 2003, Richardson and avant-garde Wilgen 2004, Van Wilgen et al. 2008). It has been shown that invasive species are very successful in competing for resources with native species and can modify fuel lashings by changing the amount of bedding fall (Behenna et al. 2008). Invasive alien plants are also fitted of altering the inhering nutr ient fluxs by shifting the nitrogen content due to changes in the litter fall (Behenna et al. 2008). Dense stands of acacias along the rivers in the Western Cape replace and exclude native fynbos species (Blanchard and Holmes 2008). Invasive alien plants also pose one of the greatest immediate threats to floral diversity in the fynbos and have the ability capture vast amounts of water (Turpie et al. 2003). In contrast, research exploring the effects of IAPs on the livelihoods of local, rural communities has genuine little attention (McGarry et al. 2005, Shackleton et al. 2007).Not all of the impacts exerted by IAPs are negative as these plant species is a source of both costs and benefits (Bardsley and Edward-Jones 2006). Various plants have been introduced to South Africa for a variety of purposes (Van Wilgen et al. 2001). These include species intrudes for range production, timber and firewood, garden ornamentals, for dune stabilisation and hedge plants (Van Wilgen et al. 2001). Several of these have become instinctiveized and some of the naturalized species are now invasive (Van Wilgen et al. 2001). Costs are experienced when these invasive species impede the functioning of social and ecological systems (Bardsley and Edward-Jones 2006). Benefits, on the other hand, are experienced when the same traits (such as hardiness and eminent fecundity) that lead to these species becoming invasives, contribute to their usefulness (Bardsley and Edward-Jones 2006).Rural communities are exposed to IAPs in different ways (Shackleton et al. 2007). The outcome is that that these communities have to weigh up the trade-offs between the possible positive benefits of IAPs as a natural resource and the negative impacts exercised by these species on ecosystem goods and services and in turn on human livelihood (Shackleton et al. 2007). It is generally accepted that the negative effects of IAPs on ecosystem goods and services are transferred directly to human welfare (Shackle ton et al. 2007). This has been proven otherwise by researchers such as de Neergaard and others (2005), Shackleton and others (2007) and Kull and others (2011) who illustrated that IAPs can be integrated significantly by local communities in their lifestyles as either a source of tannins and timber, for firewood, building material, as well as for medicinal extractions and financial income by selling of firewood.Working for Water (WfW), an IAP annihilation programme, was launced in 1995 with the aim of restoring natural capital by controlling invading species and enhance water security (Van Wilgen et al. 1998). Simultaneously, the programme aims to alleviate poverty by providing employment to underprivileged communities (Van Wilgen et al. 1998). To date, the WfW programme has developed into one of the biggest conservation projects in Africa with regard to manpower, costs and impact (Ndhlovu 2011). Immense sponsorships have contributed towards extensive areas being cleared and a lar ge numbers of individuals being employed (Binns et al. 2001, Turpie et al. 2008). Conversely, the socio-economic benefits of the WfW programme have not been wholly assessed regardless of the programmes extensive activities and authentic sponsorships associated with it (Turpie et al. 2008).Additionally, the use of these plants by rural communities is not well understood and seldom integrated into eradication programmes as stated down the stairsThe lack of information on the socio-economic impacts of IAS has been singled out as a major barrier to the implementation of general national IAS management programmes and as one of the main reasons for the failure of IAS issues to feature prominently in the mainstream order of business of most countries (Peter, 2009).Quantification of stakeholder perception on the impacts of IAPs is essential in order authorize an argument for the control and management of invasive plant species (Peter, 2009). Though it is vital to understand anthropogeni c impacts on landscapes and ecosystems through ecological noesis of invasive species, an improved understanding of the social processes is also required to inform both species management and conservation policy (Peter 2009).There is a shortage of information regarding the socio-economic impact of alien species presently found in South Africa. Even in well studied areas such as the Cape Floristic voice, the range of the impact of invasive plants is poorly understood. Additionally, limited research has also been done with regard to the socio-economic impacts of alien eradication programmes in the Western Cape. Consequently, there is a need for comprehensive research that investigates the holistic impacts (both negative and positive) of IAPs on the livelihoods and public assistance of local communities.Goals and ObjectivesConsidering the above, the objective of this employment was to assess the effects and impacts of IAP pest on human well-being, with the focus on the effects of I APs on the livelihoods of rural land users in the Western Cape, South Africa. The main research capitulum that directs the choose is as follow What are the impacts of invasive alien plants on the livelihoods of rural land users? This research question was broken down into seven key questions. These key questions were adapted from the literature (see McGarry et al. 2005).Key QuestionsWhat is the signification of the natural environment to the community?What are peoples attitudes towards and perceptions of IAPs ?How important are IAPs for human well-being and livelihoods?Are the IAPs used for sustenance, for domestic requirements, etc.?Are IAPs sold to provide an income?Does the local community perceive IAPs as having a positive or negative impact on spirituality, culture and/or aesthetics?How do IAPs in the area affect the supply of (other) ecosystem goods and services which are important to peoples livelihoods?What are peoples attitudes towards IAP management?What are the impacts of IAP eradication programmes on livelihoods?What is the impact of IAP distribution on land-use practices?What are the long-term and short-term gains and losses for human well-being and livelihood as a result of IAP impact?The study site is highly dependent on areas where rural communities are lock away highly reliant on generating an income from the land. Additionally, the study site must also comply with the use of IAPs by the local community and in the same light IAPs must be potentially regarded as a problem by the local community.The Agulhas Plain, situated within the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), has been selected as the focus area for this study as it meets the above mentioned criteria.Study areaThe Agulhas Plain (AP) is dictated within the CFR which is internationally known as a global biodiversity hotspot (Turpie et al. 2003). The CFR, known for its Mediterranean compositors case climate, is the most floristically rich of the seven diverse biomes allocated in South Afric a with an estimated 9600 plant species of which 70% are autochthonic (Richardson and Sekhran 2009). The AP, comprising an area of 270 000 ha, is located at the southern-most tip of South Africa and is a species-rich area known for its fire-prone coastal low-lying fynbos and infertile soils (Richardson and Sekhran 2009, Treurnicht 2010). It is internationally recognised as a centre for endemism (Treurnicht 2010).This area is however more and more threatened by habitat transformation and alien plant invasion (Turpie et al. 2003), the latter being the focal point of this study. Fynbos wildflower farming and harvesting, particularly from natural vegetation, forms an integral part of this areas economic activity and contributes vastly to this regions agricultural sector (Treurnicht 2010). This has been shown Turpie and others (2003) who stated that natural fynbos vegetation are estimated to be accountable for 57.6% of the CFRs turnover, which were equal to R90.5 zillion in the year 2000. The Agulhas Plain is practically responsible for the largest part of this turnover (Turpie et al. 2003).Study limitationsIt was not possible to do a systematic and exhaustive research in all the areas on the Agulhas Plain were IAP infestation occurs due to the time limitation of this study. It was thus decided to do a detailed and comprehensive small focus i.e. case study on the socio-economic impacts of invasive alien plants and to gather as much agreeable information as possible by means of interviews. Elim and the surrounding farming communities were accordingly selected as the study group.Study site selectionElim and the surrounding farming communities were chosen as the best suitable study site according to the following reasonsIt was established during the visits prior and during the pilot study that this rural settlement and its neighbouring farms still relies on woody IAPs as either a primary or a supplementary source of energy.It was noted during field visits that t he areas surround the settlement as well as the neighbouring farms are invaded to a substantial degree.There has been active alien eradication programmes in the area since 1998 i.e. Working for Water as well as LandCare under the departments of Water Affairs and Agriculture respectively.Thesis outlineChapter 1 IntroductionChapter 2 Literature ReviewChapter 3 Methods, Results and DiscussionChapter 4 Implications for management and policies