Alien Species.vp - IUCN

I5. Global economic trends South Africa has a small and emerging economy which is highly
vulnerable to international investment trends. The state of the economy and the way this
determines the amount of money the government has at its disposal, in turn, determine the
ability of the various authorities to implement measures to prevent, limit and control invasions
in the face of other pressing needs that have to be addressed.
I6. Globalization of the forestry/agro-forestry enterprise The demand for increased
productivity of forestry and agricultural enterprises is growing continuously, and these
enterprises are planting an ever increasing area of invasive tree species. Land rehabilitation,
while necessary, often involves using known invaders, but this risk is ignored because of the
perceived benefits of the ‘miracle’ species. On the other hand, environmental certification
provides a tool for control by requiring companies to limit the impacts of the invasive alien
species they use if they wish to market products in many developed countries.
I7. Improved communication methods (internet, global databases) Modern communication
technologies such as the Internet offer access to information on organisations promoting
species, including known invaders, and provide ways of obtaining propagules. This trend may
be countered by the growing number of global databases on problem species, many of which
are being increasingly used to regulate and quarantine imports, and international e-mail
networks for invasive species (e.g. the aliens-l list server maintained by IUCN).
I8. Growth and maturation of invasion ecology into a robust, predictive science Invasion
ecology is still a growing science but it is already providing useful insights on which to base
policies, laws and regulations, develop improved methods for screening species for invasive
potential and new methods for controlling invading species.
I9. Global climate change Global climate change is likely to bring about significant changes
in rainfall and temperature patterns in South Africa (and elsewhere in the world), as well more
frequent and intense extreme events, such as droughts and floods. These changes are likely to
facilitate invasions as natural ecosystems are placed under stress, disturbance regimes are
altered and factors limiting invasions are altered or removed (for a review see Mooney and
Hobbs, 2000).
I10. International treaties Numerous international conventions (e.g., Convention on
Biological Diversity) aim, directly or indirectly, to reduce the magnitude of transfer of species
between regions. South Africa has signed many of these conventions and is developing a
Biosafety Protocol for genetically modified organisms. Other conventions and protocols (e.g.
World Trade Organisation agreements) may promote invasions by promoting unfettered trade.
S1. Human population dynamics South Africa has an average population growth rate of about
2.4% which may be counterbalanced by the dramatic rate of increase in HIV/AIDS. The
economic impacts of the HIV/AIDS will be significant and the associated social disruptions
could affect lifestyles, particularly in rural areas. The impacts may include reduced use of
invasive trees and shrubs as fuel and the abandonment of land. Both outcomes will facilitate
invasions.
S2. Economic trends The economic performance of South Africa is heavily dependent on the
global economy (I5) and world markets for raw materials (e.g. gold, platinum, iron) and
exportable foodstuffs, as well as the local economy’s efficiency, its balance and the standard of
governance in the country. Sound economic performance provides scope for devoting
resources to research and issues such as innovative and long-term measures of dealing with
biological invasions (e.g. biological control) and for facilitating orderly land management. A
poor economy on the other hand limits or excludes these options for intervention.
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Human dimensions of invasive alien species