From detrimental to desks - How one factory is putting alien plants to good use

Abstract

Invasive alien plants According to the World Conservation Union, invasive alien species are the second most significant threat to biodiversity, after habitat loss. In their new ecosystems, invasive alien species become predators, competitors, hybridisers, and diseases of our native and domesticated plants and animals. Close to 200 non-native plants have been declared ‘invasive species’ in South Africa. These invader plants have a substantial negative effect on ecosystem functioning and the capacity of ecosystems to deliver sustainable services. What is especially concerning is these plants’ ability to affect South Africa’s water resources, especially when they invade riverbanks. In 1995, the government started the Working for Water (WfW) programme. The programme is aimed at removing intrusive alien plants which use much more water than our indigenous vegetation. In extreme cases, these alien plants outgrow our indigenous plants to the point of wiping them out.

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