Invasive Alien Species Programme (IASP)
In 2004, the major stakeholders (Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF), Working for Water Programme (WfW) and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) involved in initiatives aimed at controlling the spread of invasive alien plants reached consensus on adopting an integrated approach.
This integrated approach entailed the establishment of the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs as a coordinating ‘one-stop shop’ for the control of invasive alien species (IAS) introductions in KZN.
This ‘one-stop shop’ coordinated under the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs is called the Invasive Alien Species Programme (IASP) and has a provincial specific implementation, advocacy and communication, education, research and data management sub-programmes.
Vision
“To establish an Invasive Alien Species Programme (IASP) in KwaZulu-Natal, as a one-stop shop wherein effective and efficient control of invasive alien species is undertaken to optimize economic, ecological and social development”.
Mission
“To effectively and efficiently control of invasive alien species using labour-intensive technologies that promote economic and social development of affected communities”.
Objectives
· To use-labour intensive techniques to control the existing invasions by invasive alien species, thereby contributing to the restoration and protection of the agricultural potential of the land.
· To contribute to the conservation of the ecological integrity of KZN’s natural ecosystems through the control of invasion by alien species.
· To contribute to the protection of water security (both quality and quantity) through the control of, and prevention of invasion by alien species.
· To contribute to the optimization of both economic and social development opportunities for the communities impacted upon by invasive alien species.
· To develop a one-stop shop for the management of invasive alien species in KZN that optimizes co-operative governance, partnerships, transformation and staff development and learning.
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What are Invasive Alien Species (IAS)?
Invasive alien species (plants, animals and micro-organisms) are species that occur outside of their natural habitat or country of origin and due to their ability to outperform and outgrow indigenous species; they establish themselves in these non-native habitats.
Invasive alien species (IAS) have also been called weeds, pests, encroachers, aliens, invasives, exotics or non-indigenous. They are native to a particular area or region, but have been introduced elsewhere, either by accident or on purpose. Invasive alien species can be animals (e.g. rats), plants (e.g. lantana) and micro-organisms (e.g. cholera). IAS can be found in households as decorative plants, pets or pests or on land as terrestrials and in water as aquatics.
Why and how they end up in our country?
Alien species are introduced into country in many ways. Some invading alien plants were brought into the country for practical purposes such as forestry plantations, ornamentals, food and others were brought unintentionally by road transport, winds, floods and sea transport.
Alien animals are spread throughout the world by human movements. They are intentionally or unintentionally transported from one country to another for different purposes e.g. to care for them as household pets. However, others for example are aquatic animals that are transported mostly by floods. Others are hitchhikers and get transported by humans unintentionally.
When were they introduced?
South Africa has a long history of problem plants. Alien plants were first introduced in South Africa in more than thousand years ago. These were plants mainly from central and northern African origin and were associated with human activities. Plants from other continents were introduced by colonists from 1652 onwards.
The introduction in KwaZulu Natal can be traced back to the timber industry that introduced blue gums (Eucalyptus globulus) and black wattle (Acacia meamsii) in 1839 an by 1904 there were 75 000 hectares of wattle plantation in and around Durban.
Invasive alien animals have also been present in KwaZulu Natal for decades.
What is the problem?
Plants
Plants are able to grow faster, mature earlier, and produce many more seeds than indigenous species. They out-compete indigenous vegetation, resulting in the replacement of the natural vegetation with dense infestations of invasive alien trees that impact negatively on water resources and on the ecological integrity of our natural ecosystem.
Their invasion can lead to the loss to agricultural potential, biodiversity and threaten water quality and quantity. Globally, invasive alien plants continue to invade and cause havoc not only in pristine ecosystems, but also in disturbed environments. This invasion has been rated as the biggest second threat to the survival of ecosystems, after habitat loss.
Of equal concern to South Africa, is that invasive alien plants (AIPs) invade grazing lands, reducing their value to stock farmers - in a country where raising livestock on natural pastures is still the most widespread form of land use.
It is estimated that in South Africa 9.6 million ha of Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) priority licensing catchments areas and 7.5 million ha of conservation priority areas (terrestrial) are infested with invasive alien plants. Invasive Alien Plants invade at an annual rate of 5% doubling their impact every 15 years. It is also known that invasive alien plants increase the intensity of fires and exacerbates environmental damage due to its high fuel load.
KwaZulu Natal is one of the provinces of the Republic of South Africa that has a highly valued bio-diversity, and due to its climatic profile, it is also vulnerable to invasion by a number of alien species. Of the estimated 9000 alien plants introduced (intentionally or unintentionally) to the Republic of South Africa, over 198 are currently classified as being invasive and over 30 of those occur in KwaZulu Natal.
There are more than 117 invasive alien plants identified as major invaders (i.e. those that are well established and already have substantial impact) and approximately 84 species as emerging (i.e. those that currently have less impact but have attributes and a potentially suitable habitat that could increase their future impact). Of these major invasive alien plants identified, 29 plant species are considered to be aggressive transformers i.e. those that change the character, condition, form or nature of ecosystems over a substantial area relative to the extent of that ecosystem.
These invasive plants have claimed about 8 percent or 10 million hectares of land suitable for agricultural use in South Africa. This is an equivalent of every square inch of available land in our province. If they are not eradicated or managed, in fifteen years they would have doubled. Together, these invasive alien plants steal about seven percent of our water bulk every year.
Animals and micro-organisms
They pose a serious threat to human and animal health as they carry and spread diseases that can kill most of the population in the new habitat. They also cause environmental health problems. Invasive alien fauna can interbreed with indigenous species leading to the pollution of the gene pool. They thrive because they no longer controlled by predators and diseases within their natural range. Another reason they often have negative effects to the indigenous species is that the natives have not evolved any defense technique against the aliens.
The level of invasions by alien animals (fauna) and micro-organisms has currently not been fully established in KZN.
Where do invasive alien species occur in KZN?
Invasive alien species occur throughout KZN. Depending on the ability of a particular species to adapt and establish itself to and in a particular environment, their occurrence is variable.
Who is fighting the problem in KwaZulu Natal?
The IASP was endorsed by the Provincial Parliament in 2004 and the partnership works with local government to ensure the sustainability of control initiatives.
In controlling the spread of existing infestations and preventing further introduction of new species, the IASP provides jobs to generally the most marginalized sectors of our society.
Of the total number of persons employed, the IASP aims at achieving a target of 60% jobs for women, 20% for the youth and 2% for people living disabilities. By the end of the 2005/6 financial year, 3000 jobs will be created by IASP. This number will increase in the next financial year as well as outer years.
IASP adopts a range of methods to control invasive alien plants.
These include:
· Mechanical methods – felling, removing (for example, cutting and slashing) or burning invading alien plants.
· Chemical methods – using ecologically safe and registered herbicides
· Integrated control – combinations of the above three approaches. Often an integrated approach is required in order to prevent enormous impacts.
· Biological control – using host specific insects and pathogens from the alien country of origin. To date 76 bio-control agents have been released in South Africa against 43 weed species.
The partnership approach being employed by IASP is unique in South Africa and has enabled the province to extend its focus to invasive alien fauna. Currently, IASP enjoys sustained political support due to its job creation efforts resulting in the fight against poverty.
How do we work?
Each year, the IASP undertakes a project identification and review exercise to determine projects. The criteria used in this review include as assessment of:
· Agricultural potential loss
· Biodiversity loss
· Water quality and quantity loss; and
· Sustainable livelihoods
These criteria are weighed and areas scoring the highest are treated as priorities for that financial year.
In undertaking its work, the IASP seeks to ensure that all its participants are afforded training opportunities aimed at both enhancing their employability (widening their skills base) and assisting in training some individuals in entrepreneurial skills. Skills development is a critical aspect of IASP. In recruiting participants and beneficiaries to the project, the community is involved whereby advisory committees are formed by members of the communities and contractors drawn from the community.
Public Awareness
Education and awareness of the importance of alien species identification and controlling the spread of invasion are also important focus areas of IASP. In KZN, a schools project is being developed with the aim of using schools as an avenue for spreading the information on the threats posed by invasive alien species, not only on biodiversity, water and agricultural potential but also on sustainable livelihoods. IASP will also engage in a number of public awareness initiatives.
What does the constitution say about environment?
Chapter 2: Bill of Rights
Environment
24. Everyone has the right –
(a) to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and
(b) to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations; through reasonable legislative and other measures that –
(i) prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
(ii) promote conservation
(iii) secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while promoting justifiable economic and social development
What does the law say about you and invasive alien species?
Our laws relating invasive alien species are aimed at:
· Preventing the introduction of alien species that may become invasive;
· Managing species that have become invasive in the country; and
· Prosecuting those who contravene the legislation.
The long term threat of invasive alien species to life and livelihoods is so great, and the potential impact so significant, that far more stringent steps are now being taken. In terms of invasive alien plants, the following general conditions apply;
1. It is unlawful to bring alien species into the country without a permit to do so.
2. It is unlawful to sell categorized invasive alien species.
3. It is unlawful to have categorized alien species on your property.
4. It is unlawful to grow categorized alien invasive plants in sensitive areas (e.g. riverine areas and wetlands).
5. Land users have a legal duty to remove alien plants that are a fire hazard in certain areas.
6. The authorities may clear your land of invasive alien plants and other alien species entirely at your own cost and your own risk.
Various Acts administered by the Departments of Agriculture, Environmental Affairs an Tourism, and Water Affairs and Forestry, as well as other laws (including local by-laws), spell out the fines, terms of imprisonment and other penalties for contravening the law. However, civil claims are an area where those in breach of the laws face and equal risk. Here are some examples:
- If you sell your property that is invaded by alien plants, and do not inform the purchaser that s/he will have to remove these plants, the purchaser may sue you for the cost of removing the plants.
- In the above example, the estate agent may face civil action, for the commission they were given would have been based on the selling price before deducting the cost of clearing the invasives.
- As invasive alien plants can increase the intensity of fires ten-fold or more, you may face illegal claims for wildfires that could not be contained on your infested land, and spread to destroy neighbouring properties and/or cause loss of life.
- Similarly, you may be sued for ‘seed pollution’, if your failure to clear land results in greater clearing costs for your neighbour.
Categorization of Weeds
Declared Weeds – Category 1 (search and destroy)
(If you see these following weeds you must remove and destroy them)
- Lantana
- Bugweed
- Azolla
- Hydrilla
- Redwater fern
- Pompom weed
- Pickerel weed
- Queen of the night cactus
- Pampas grass
- Cat’s claw creeper
- Yellow oleander
Declared Invaders – Category 2 (Commercial Value)
These following invaders may be grown under controlled conditions by people with a special permission to do so. If they are found outside demarcated areas they must be destroyed.
- Black wattle
- Patula pine
- Sisal
- Rooikrans
- Grey poplar
- Watercress
- Port Jackson willow
- Guava
- Mulberry
- Gum tree
- Cluster pine
- Honey locust
- Weeping willow
Declared Invaders – Category 3 (Ornamental Value)
These ornamental could become invasive. Watch them and don’t plant new ones.
· Jacaranda
· Seringa
· Australian silky oak
· Formosa lily
· Sword fern
· Tipuana tree
· New Zealand Christmas tree
These lists are examples and not exhaustive. More information can be obtained from the national Department of Agriculture.
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See pictures of invasive alien plants at www.agis.agric.za/agisweb/wip. Or you could buy a guide book to invasive plants. A useful one is the identification manual Alien Weeds and Invasive Plants by Lesley Henderson which has line drawings and photographs of the offenders.
The book is published by the Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Council, is available by calling Eunice Kiwane at (012) 808 8222 writing to: Attention Eunice Kiwane, ARC-PPRI Publications, Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Bag X 134, Pretoria, 0001. The e-mail address is kiwanee@arc.agric.co.za.
If you have an environmentally aware nursery nearby you may be able to take along some plant cuttings and ask what they are.
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In February 2002, the South African Nursery Association (SANA), Working for Water (Department of Water Affairs and Forestry) and the National Department of Agriculture (NDA) embarked upon a unique and progressive partnership called the Working for Water Nursery Partnership Programme with the South African Nursery Association (SANA), will stipulated that:
· members will stop stocking and sell IAPs, except sterile cultivars.
· They will also be able to offer advice on more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Look out for invasive alien-free nurseries flying the special yellow flag.