The programme is structured around the activities of early detection of plant and animal invasions, identification and verification of the invasive plants and asnimals, risk assessment and response planning and, more importantly, immediate response actions.
1. Early detection
There are relatively few highly knowledgeable, enthusiastic and dedicated experts who are able to ‘spot’ invasive plants amongst the indigenous and exotic species already present in the country. According to a recent assessment there are about 1 422 listed alien species that have become naturalised or invasive. Some of these species have serious negative impacts on South African ecosystems, many of the alien tree species extract large quantities of water from catchments. Thankfully there are numerous individuals who spend time regularly observing the vegetation on walks and during recreational activities and can determine changes in plant communities and identify particularly noticeable plants, if well trained. These individuals are more commonly referred to as “Spotters”. Early detection will make use of both the experts and the observers in order to survey areas that may be subject to invasion.
Spotters are encouraged to support this programme include those with strong local knowledge whether they are school teachers involved in greening programmes, farmers involved in stewardship programmes, mountain or hiking club members, botanical society members or professional botanists engaged in field work. It is sensible to build the initial efforts in early detection around the skills of these knowledgeable experts. The efforts of both experts and observers are managed by the Directorate on Biodiversity Evidence,
Regional Co-ordination Units.
2. Identification and verification
Plant specimens gathered by the early detection spotters and regional co-ordination units are identified, confirmed and verified by our resident taxonomist. Other taxonomic experts are based at herbaria and universities across the country. SANBI has three herbaria, the National Herbarium in Pretoria, the KwaZulu-Natal Herbarium in Durban and the Compton Herbarium in Cape Town.
3. Risk assessment
The Alien Species Risk Analysis Review Panel (ASRARP) was formed in 2018 with representation of government departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Water and Environmental Affairs as well as co-opted experts from research institutions to deal with different species as appropriate. It is envisioned that this panel will meet regularly throughout the year to provide independent scientific advice to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) on a range of issues pertaining to the risk of biological invasions.
4. Rapid response planning and implementation
The recommended course of action by the Alien Species Risk Analysis Review Panel (ASRARP) gives the Rapid Response team the way forward in dealing with a newly detected invasion. The Regional co-ordinator then consults with appropriate representatives of provincial and local government and control experts and compiles a regional eradication, follow up and management plan appropriate to the specific circumstances and invasive alien plant or aquatic weed. The Directorate on Biodiversity Evidence team reports their planned actions to representatives from the national government departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Environmental Affairs. Regional co-ordinators provide the necessary information to co-ordinate the work of these rapid response teams.