Original Research

The balance of trade in alien species between South Africa and the rest of Africa

Katelyn T. Faulkner, Brett P. Hurley, Mark P. Robertson, Mathieu Rouget, John R.U. Wilson
Bothalia | Vol 47, No 2 | a2157 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/abc.v47i2.2157 | © 2017 Katelyn T. Faulkner, Brett P. Hurley, Mark P. Robertson, Mathieu Rouget, John R.U. Wilson | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 30 August 2016 | Published: 31 March 2017

About the author(s)

Katelyn T. Faulkner, Invasive Species Programme, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre; Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Brett P. Hurley, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), University of Pretoria; Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Mark P. Robertson, Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Mathieu Rouget, Centre for Invasion Biology, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
John R.U. Wilson, Invasive Species Programme, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre; Centre for Invasion Biology, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Alien organisms are not only introduced from one biogeographical region to another but also spread within regions. As South Africa shares land borders with six countries, multiple opportunities exist for the transfer of alien species between South Africa and other African countries; however, the direction and importance of intra-regional spread is unclear.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the introduction of alien species into Africa and the spread of species between South Africa and other African countries.
Method: We developed scenarios that describe the routes by which alien species are introduced to and spread within Africa and present case studies for each. Using data from literature sources and databases, the relative importance of each scenario for alien birds and insect pests of eucalypts was determined, and the direction and importance of intra-regional spread was assessed.
Results: Alien species from many taxonomic groups have, through various routes, been introduced to and spread within Africa. For birds and eucalypt insect pests, the number of species spreading in the region has recently increased, with South Africa being a major recipient of birds (14 species received and 5 donated) and a major donor of eucalypt insect pests (1 species received and 10 donated). For both groups, many introduced species have not yet spread in the region.
Conclusion: The intra-regional spread of alien species in Africa represents an important and possibly increasing threat to biosecurity. To address this threat, we propose a framework that details how African countries could cooperate and develop a coordinated response to alien species introductions.

Keywords

Biological invasions; Biosecurity; Inter-regional introduction; Intra-regional spread; Co-operation; Introduction routes

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