A group of Rhodes University research scientists and fieldworkers is in the vanguard of tackling the invasion of alien plants in South Africa that threaten the country's biodiversity and water supplies Many originate on other continents, which means they have no natural enemies in South Africa and so grow out of control.
A group of Rhodes University research scientists and fieldworkers is in the vanguard of tackling the invasion of alien plants in South Africa that threaten the country's biodiversity and water supplies Many originate on other continents, which means they have no natural enemies in South Africa and so grow out of control.
This Saturday, members of public are invited to visit the research group's base at the Biological Control Research Facility at Waainek.
Explaining the work of the "bug army" will be head of the Rhodes Zoology and Entomology's Biological Control Research Group Professor Martin Hill and lead researcher Dr Iain Paterson.
Hill is considered Africa's leading authority on aquatic invasive weeds and their biological control.
One of Paterson's main focuses in recent years has been the cultivation and testing of a South American insect – Atorhintha schaffneri – to tackle the South American Pereskia aculeata, a type of highly invasive cactus.
The insect was recently released following state approval after years of research, showing Pereskia was its only target.
In 2013 Hill and the group received the Rhodes University Vice Chancellor’s Distinguished Community Engagement Award for the group most involved with communities.
Last month they received a prestigious National Science and Technology Forum's "Green Matter" award for an individual or organisation achieving biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and a greener economy.
The citation for the award reads, “For running a project in biological control of invasive aquatic weeds that helps to return invaded aquatic ecosystems to functioning states and includes community engagement.”
The trip to the facility, organised by the Grahamstown branch of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa), is organising the tour on Saturday from 2pm.
Interested parties should meet at 2pm at Albany Museum.
Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve
Further afield, on Wednesday 19 August, the Algoa Bay branch of Wessa will lead a tour of the Van Stadens Wildflower Reserve.
The 600ha reserve is about 40km west of Port Elizabeth and conserves a large variety of endemic, rare and threatened plants including magnificent King proteas and watsonias which create a wonderful spring showing.
The reserve serves as an important environmental education centre to local communities in the Nelson Mandela metropole and outlying regions. The reserve belongs to the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality.
The group will be hosted by the Friends of Van Stadens, a group of volunteers.
They will be showing work being done to conserve the heritage area and walks will be conducted along the trails to view the floral treasures and many birds, especially sunbirds and Cape sugarbirds, found there.
The entrance to the Van Stadens Wildflower is from the old Cape Road (R102).
Take the N2 out of the city towards Cape Town. After 40km turn left off the N2 to Van Stadens Pass.
The entrance to the reserve is on the right hand side, less than a kilometre from exit from the N2.
There is no entry fee. Meet at the Reserve Display Centre at 10am. Take your own coffee and snacks.
RSVP: Martheanne Finnemore, chairperson ABB Branch: finn@intekom.co.za 041 5831722 or 0729522043 by Monday.
