The effects of an invasive alien plant (Chromolaena odorata) on large African mammals

Abstract

Alien plants have invaded most ecosystem types (terrestrial, fresh water and marine) and are responsible for the loss of irreplaceable natural services on which humankind relies. They alter food quantity, quality and accessibility, and may result in declines in native species richness, which may ultimately result in e�tinc� in declines in native species richness, which may ultimately result in e�tinc� declines in native species richness, which may ultimately result in e�tinc� result in e�tinc� in e�tinc� in e�tinc� e�tinc� e�tinc� tion. For an effective management of invasive alien plants, it is important to understand the effects that such plants have on all levels of biodiversity. However, the effects that invasive alien plants, such as the Triffid weed (Chromolaena odorata), have on mammalian biodiversity, especially large mammalian species, are not well�known, although they play major ecological roles in areas such as nutrient cycling. Also, little is known about the recovery of the ecosystem following alien plant removal. This study investigated the effects of C. odorata invasion on large mammalian herbivores in Hluhluwe�iMfolozi Park and whether clearing of this plant helped in rehabilitating the habitat. We used track counts to estimate and compare species richness, di� versity and abundance indices for large mammalian species between areas with differing C. odorata invasion durations (ca 2 years, ca 10 years, ca 20 years), areas with differing clearing times (cl < 2 years, cl 3-5 years) and an area without any history of C. odorata invasion as a control. The results from this study show that large mammalian species utilised the uninvaded and the cleared areas more than the invaded areas. Species richness, abundance and diversity decreased with increasing invasion duration and cleared areas showed an increasing species richness and abundance. We conclude that this invasive alien plant modifies habitats and their removal does aid in the restoration of the ecosystem.

Modeling the invasiveness of Ulmus pumila in urban ecosystems in conditions of climate change

“…Penetration of organisms into new territories has long acquired a global character and often provokes severe consequences for natural ecosystems, primarily, threatening the conservation of biodiversity at all levels (Blackburn et al, 2014;Dumalisile & Somers, 2017;Fateryga & Bagrikova, 2017;Foxcroft et al, 2017). Identification of invasive species and the ways of their introduction and spreading, implementation of measures to regulate or eradicate priority invasive species are today one of the urgent general tasks specified in a number of international documents.…”

Non-Native Eragrostis curvula Impacts Diversity of Pastures in South-Eastern Australia Even When Native Themeda triandra Remains Co-Dominant

“…In addition, ALG can restrict the movement of livestock through pasture [ 15 ] and is considered to have a low palatability, particularly when mature [ 12 , 13 ]. Livestock may therefore prefer to graze in communities with a low ALG abundance, resulting in lower grazing intensity on patches with high ALG cover [ 15 , 25 ]. This can lead to a further increase in ALG cover, to higher understory light limitation and, in turn, to a boosted decline of plant diversity [ 26 ].…”

Assessing biological invasions in protected areas after 30 years: Revisiting nature reserves targeted by the 1980s SCOPE programme

“…Widespread invasive species in PAs can also be controlled though innovative and sustained approaches. In Hluhluwe-iMfolozi the transformer species C. odorata that posed major threats to biodiversity in the area (Mgobozi et al, 2008;Dumalisile and Somers, 2017), has been well managed using adaptive approaches and good planning (see details in;te Beest et al, 2017). Sustained funding and long-term buy in are essential components for success.…”