Invasive Alien PlantsInvasive alien plants (IAPs) are highly adaptable, vigorous growers that invade a wide range of indigenous ecosystems and soak up precious water resources.
Why are IAPs a problem? They:
- Have invaded ten million hectares of land (or an area the size of KwaZulu-Natal).
- Use 3,3 billion cubic metres of water more than their indigenous counterparts, reducing South Africa's water resources. (They consume about 7% of the total water resources in the country).
- Threaten our rich biodiversity by replacing indigenous and endemic vegetation. This will result in a loss of insect species that are dependent on these plants and the ripple-effect loss of the birds, reptiles and mammals that feed on those insects.
- Invade land better used for crops and livestock grazing.
- Are often toxic to people and livestock.
IAPs are divided into three categories:
- Category 1: These invasive alien plants may no longer be grown anywhere in South Africa. If they are in your garden, they should be removed and destroyed immediately. Trade in these plants is prohibited.
- Category 2: Primarily plants of commercial value (to forestry and agriculture), these invasive alien plants must be removed from suburban gardens and can only be grown with a permit in public spaces such as parks, schools and hospitals. Permits are obtainable from regional offices of the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
- Category 3: These invasive alien plants are permitted to grow where they already exist. However, no propagating, new planting or trade is permitted. In other words, plants already growing in the garden may remain, but no more may be planted.
198 plants are listed under the Conservation of Agricultural Resources Act (CARA No 43 of 1983) as designated invasive alien plants. View the list.
Watch out for snake grass (Equisetum hyemale), which is potentially an invasive alien plant (IAP) problem in South Africa.
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January is a time when invasions by 348 bad alien plants are at their worst. Now is the time to check your gardens to find out what plants have invaded your garden and to get rid of them.
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This is an extract from an address by Professor Kader Asmal, the former minister of water affairs and forestry, as well as education, in Johannesburg at the launch of Leonie Joubert’s book Invaded: the Biological Invasion of South Africa
