A proposed prioritization system for the management of invasive alien plants in South Africa
- Robertson, Mark P, Villet, Martin H, Fairbanks, Dean H K, Henderson, L, Higgins, Simon I, Hoffmann, John H, Le Maitre, David C, Palmer, Anthony R, Riggs, I, Shackleton, Charlie M, Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Authors: Robertson, Mark P , Villet, Martin H , Fairbanks, Dean H K , Henderson, L , Higgins, Simon I , Hoffmann, John H , Le Maitre, David C , Palmer, Anthony R , Riggs, I , Shackleton, Charlie M , Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 2003
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011872
- Description: Every country has weed species whose presence conflicts in some way with human management objectives and needs. Resources for research and control are limited, so priority should be given to species that are the biggest problem. The prioritization system described in this article was designed to assess objectively research and control priorities of invasive alien plants at a national scale in South Africa. The evaluation consists of seventeen criteria, grouped into five modules, that assess invasiveness, spatial characteristics, potential impact, potential for control, and conflicts of interest for each plant species under consideration. Total prioritization scores, calculated from criterion and module scores, were used to assess a species' priority. Prioritization scores were calculated by combining independent assessments provided by several experts, thus increasing the reliability of the rankings. The total confidence score, a separate index, indicates the reliability and availability of data used to make an assessment. Candidate species for evaluation were identified and assessed by several experts using the prioritization system. The final ranking was made by combining two separate indices, the total prioritization score and the total confidence score. This approach integrates the plant's perceived priority with an index of data reliability. Of the 61 species assessed, those with the highest ranks (Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata and Opuntia ficus-indica) had high prioritization and high confidence scores, and are thus of most concern. Those species with the lowest ranks, for example, Harrisia martinii, Opuntia spinulifera and Opuntia exaltata, had low prioritization scores and high confidence scores, and thus are of least concern. Our approach to ranking weeds offers several advantages over existing systems because it is designed for multiple assessors based on the Delphi decision-making technique, the criteria contribute equally to the total score, and the system can accommodate incomplete data on a species. Although the choice of criteria may be criticized and the system has certain limitations, it appears to have delivered credible results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
- Authors: Robertson, Mark P , Villet, Martin H , Fairbanks, Dean H K , Henderson, L , Higgins, Simon I , Hoffmann, John H , Le Maitre, David C , Palmer, Anthony R , Riggs, I , Shackleton, Charlie M , Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 2003
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6911 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011872
- Description: Every country has weed species whose presence conflicts in some way with human management objectives and needs. Resources for research and control are limited, so priority should be given to species that are the biggest problem. The prioritization system described in this article was designed to assess objectively research and control priorities of invasive alien plants at a national scale in South Africa. The evaluation consists of seventeen criteria, grouped into five modules, that assess invasiveness, spatial characteristics, potential impact, potential for control, and conflicts of interest for each plant species under consideration. Total prioritization scores, calculated from criterion and module scores, were used to assess a species' priority. Prioritization scores were calculated by combining independent assessments provided by several experts, thus increasing the reliability of the rankings. The total confidence score, a separate index, indicates the reliability and availability of data used to make an assessment. Candidate species for evaluation were identified and assessed by several experts using the prioritization system. The final ranking was made by combining two separate indices, the total prioritization score and the total confidence score. This approach integrates the plant's perceived priority with an index of data reliability. Of the 61 species assessed, those with the highest ranks (Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata and Opuntia ficus-indica) had high prioritization and high confidence scores, and are thus of most concern. Those species with the lowest ranks, for example, Harrisia martinii, Opuntia spinulifera and Opuntia exaltata, had low prioritization scores and high confidence scores, and thus are of least concern. Our approach to ranking weeds offers several advantages over existing systems because it is designed for multiple assessors based on the Delphi decision-making technique, the criteria contribute equally to the total score, and the system can accommodate incomplete data on a species. Although the choice of criteria may be criticized and the system has certain limitations, it appears to have delivered credible results.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2003
Biological control of cactaceae in South Africa
- Paterson, Iain D, Hoffmann, John H, Klein, Hildegard, Mathenge, C W, Neser, Stephan, Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Authors: Paterson, Iain D , Hoffmann, John H , Klein, Hildegard , Mathenge, C W , Neser, Stephan , Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/452308 , vital:75119 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32918
- Description: This review is a summary of developments that have contributed to the success of several biological control programmes against invasive cactus species (Cactaceae) that have been worked on in South Africa over the last 12 years. Six potential biological control agents have been identified for the control of Pereskia aculeata Mill. and molecular studies have identified the origin of the South African P. aculeata population. Host-specificity testing is now required for the three most promising of these agents. The successful biological control programme against Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. has resulted in a change in management strategies against this weed in the Kruger National Park and the control of O. stricta is now almost entirely reliant on biological control. Taxonomic problems associated with the identification of Cylindropuntia fulgida var. fulgida (Engelm.) F.M.Knuth var. fulgida have been resolved and an appropriate cochineal insect (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) biotype has been released, resulting in substantial declines in Cyl. fulgida var. fulgida populations. A long-term monitoring programme has been initiated to evaluate the progress of this new cochineal insect biotype. The Harrisia mealybug, Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), which was originally released on Harrisia martinii (Labour.) Britton and Rose has been collected and redistributed onto Cereus jamacaru DC., where it reduces fruit production and leads to the death of both seedlings and large plants. Resolving taxonomic problems to ensure the correct identification of plant species and the most appropriate biological control biotypes have been key issues that have led to the successful control of several cactaceous weed species in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Paterson, Iain D , Hoffmann, John H , Klein, Hildegard , Mathenge, C W , Neser, Stephan , Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/452308 , vital:75119 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32918
- Description: This review is a summary of developments that have contributed to the success of several biological control programmes against invasive cactus species (Cactaceae) that have been worked on in South Africa over the last 12 years. Six potential biological control agents have been identified for the control of Pereskia aculeata Mill. and molecular studies have identified the origin of the South African P. aculeata population. Host-specificity testing is now required for the three most promising of these agents. The successful biological control programme against Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw. has resulted in a change in management strategies against this weed in the Kruger National Park and the control of O. stricta is now almost entirely reliant on biological control. Taxonomic problems associated with the identification of Cylindropuntia fulgida var. fulgida (Engelm.) F.M.Knuth var. fulgida have been resolved and an appropriate cochineal insect (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) biotype has been released, resulting in substantial declines in Cyl. fulgida var. fulgida populations. A long-term monitoring programme has been initiated to evaluate the progress of this new cochineal insect biotype. The Harrisia mealybug, Hypogeococcus pungens Granara de Willink (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), which was originally released on Harrisia martinii (Labour.) Britton and Rose has been collected and redistributed onto Cereus jamacaru DC., where it reduces fruit production and leads to the death of both seedlings and large plants. Resolving taxonomic problems to ensure the correct identification of plant species and the most appropriate biological control biotypes have been key issues that have led to the successful control of several cactaceous weed species in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
Development of Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg)(Lepidoptera: pyralidae) on six north American Opuntia species
- Mafokoane, L D, Zimmermann, Helmuth G, Hill, Martin P
- Authors: Mafokoane, L D , Zimmermann, Helmuth G , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451346 , vital:75042 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32740
- Description: Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae) has been used as a biological control agent of several Opuntia species around the world and is widely assumed to be a generalist on host plants within the genus Opuntia. The recent arrival and spread of C. cactorum on the North American mainland has raised concerns for the native species of Opuntia that are being utilized as hosts by the moth. To confirm that C. cactorum is a threat to a wide range of Opuntia species in North America, the host range of the moths was scrutinized in South Africa, where larval development could be monitored on several Opuntia species under natural conditions. Development was monitored on Opuntia ficus-indica L. Miller, O. engelmannii Salm-Dyke, O. fulgida Englm, O. imbricata (Haworth) de Candolle, O. stricta Haworth and O. leucotrichta DC. Larval survival, egg to pupation, was highest on O. ficus-indica (79.2%) followed by O. engelmannii (57.5 %), O. stricta (55.0 %), O. leucotrichta (29.2 %), O. fulgida (24.2 %) and O. imbricata (16.7 %). Male and female pupal mass was highest, and duration of development shortest on O. ficus-indica. In adult multi-choice oviposition trials, females laid significantly more egg sticks on O. ficus-indica than on the other species. Although O. ficusindica is the preferred host for C. cactorum in South Africa, the moth is nevertheless able to utilize several other species of Opuntia as hosts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Mafokoane, L D , Zimmermann, Helmuth G , Hill, Martin P
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451346 , vital:75042 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32740
- Description: Cactoblastis cactorum (Berg) (Lepidoptera : Pyralidae) has been used as a biological control agent of several Opuntia species around the world and is widely assumed to be a generalist on host plants within the genus Opuntia. The recent arrival and spread of C. cactorum on the North American mainland has raised concerns for the native species of Opuntia that are being utilized as hosts by the moth. To confirm that C. cactorum is a threat to a wide range of Opuntia species in North America, the host range of the moths was scrutinized in South Africa, where larval development could be monitored on several Opuntia species under natural conditions. Development was monitored on Opuntia ficus-indica L. Miller, O. engelmannii Salm-Dyke, O. fulgida Englm, O. imbricata (Haworth) de Candolle, O. stricta Haworth and O. leucotrichta DC. Larval survival, egg to pupation, was highest on O. ficus-indica (79.2%) followed by O. engelmannii (57.5 %), O. stricta (55.0 %), O. leucotrichta (29.2 %), O. fulgida (24.2 %) and O. imbricata (16.7 %). Male and female pupal mass was highest, and duration of development shortest on O. ficus-indica. In adult multi-choice oviposition trials, females laid significantly more egg sticks on O. ficus-indica than on the other species. Although O. ficusindica is the preferred host for C. cactorum in South Africa, the moth is nevertheless able to utilize several other species of Opuntia as hosts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
More than a century of biological control against invasive alien plants in South Africa: a synoptic view of what has been accomplished
- Hill, Martin P, Moran, V Clifford, Hoffmann, John H, Neser, Stefan, Zimmermann, Helmuth G, Simelane, David O, Klein, Hildegard, Zachariades, Costas, Wood, Alan R, Byrne, Marcus J, Paterson, Iain D, Martin, Grant D, Coetzee, Julie A
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Moran, V Clifford , Hoffmann, John H , Neser, Stefan , Zimmermann, Helmuth G , Simelane, David O , Klein, Hildegard , Zachariades, Costas , Wood, Alan R , Byrne, Marcus J , Paterson, Iain D , Martin, Grant D , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176260 , vital:42679 , ISBN 978-3-030-32394-3 , 10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: Invasive alien plant species negatively affect agricultural production, degrade conservation areas, reduce water supplies, and increase the intensity of wild fires. Since 1913, biological control agents ie plant-feeding insects, mites, and fungal pathogens, have been deployed in South Africa to supplement other management practices (herbicides and mechanical controls) used against these invasive plant species. We do not describe the biological control agent species.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Hill, Martin P , Moran, V Clifford , Hoffmann, John H , Neser, Stefan , Zimmermann, Helmuth G , Simelane, David O , Klein, Hildegard , Zachariades, Costas , Wood, Alan R , Byrne, Marcus J , Paterson, Iain D , Martin, Grant D , Coetzee, Julie A
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , book
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/176260 , vital:42679 , ISBN 978-3-030-32394-3 , 10.1007/978-3-030-32394-3
- Description: Invasive alien plant species negatively affect agricultural production, degrade conservation areas, reduce water supplies, and increase the intensity of wild fires. Since 1913, biological control agents ie plant-feeding insects, mites, and fungal pathogens, have been deployed in South Africa to supplement other management practices (herbicides and mechanical controls) used against these invasive plant species. We do not describe the biological control agent species.
- Full Text: false
- Date Issued: 2020
Prospects for biological control of cactus weeds in Namibia
- Paterson, Iain D, Manheimmer, C A, Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Authors: Paterson, Iain D , Manheimmer, C A , Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417522 , vital:71460 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2018.1562040"
- Description: Australia and South Africa have a long history of sharing successful biocontrol agents for cactus weeds but other countries, such as Namibia, could also benefit. There are four biological control agents that are widely utilised in South Africa and/or Australia for the control of 10 invasive alien Cactaceae in Namibia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Paterson, Iain D , Manheimmer, C A , Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/417522 , vital:71460 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09583157.2018.1562040"
- Description: Australia and South Africa have a long history of sharing successful biocontrol agents for cactus weeds but other countries, such as Namibia, could also benefit. There are four biological control agents that are widely utilised in South Africa and/or Australia for the control of 10 invasive alien Cactaceae in Namibia.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Regulation and risk assessment for importations and releases of biological control agents against invasive alien plants in South Africa
- Klein, Hildegard, Hill, Martin P, Zachariades, Costas, Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Authors: Klein, Hildegard , Hill, Martin P , Zachariades, Costas , Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451481 , vital:75052 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32898
- Description: The importation and release of biological control agents against invasive alien plants in South Africa are subject to regulation by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), under its Agricultural Pests Act, and by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), initially under its Environment Conservation Act, subsequently under the National Environmental Management Act and eventually, as soon as the relevant regulations have been developed, under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act. Peer review, both within South Africa, and with colleagues in other countries, has helped to ensure the integrity of the science and practice of weed biological control in South Africa. This paper traces the development of the regulatory system from the first weed biological control project in 1913, through a dispensation when importations and releases were authorized by DAFF only to a dual regulatory system involving two government departments. Inappropriate legislation, lack of knowledge about biological control amongst the relevant authorities and the costs of employing compulsory private consultants are some of the reasons for significant delays that have become a feature in the authorization of biological control agent releases. These delays have set back several control programmes. Holding agents in quarantine while awaiting decisions ties up expensive space and staff time and increases the risk of losing colonies through accidents or decreased genetic vigour. It seems likely that changes in legislation within DEA will streamline the regulatory process in the near future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Klein, Hildegard , Hill, Martin P , Zachariades, Costas , Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451481 , vital:75052 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32898
- Description: The importation and release of biological control agents against invasive alien plants in South Africa are subject to regulation by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), under its Agricultural Pests Act, and by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), initially under its Environment Conservation Act, subsequently under the National Environmental Management Act and eventually, as soon as the relevant regulations have been developed, under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act. Peer review, both within South Africa, and with colleagues in other countries, has helped to ensure the integrity of the science and practice of weed biological control in South Africa. This paper traces the development of the regulatory system from the first weed biological control project in 1913, through a dispensation when importations and releases were authorized by DAFF only to a dual regulatory system involving two government departments. Inappropriate legislation, lack of knowledge about biological control amongst the relevant authorities and the costs of employing compulsory private consultants are some of the reasons for significant delays that have become a feature in the authorization of biological control agent releases. These delays have set back several control programmes. Holding agents in quarantine while awaiting decisions ties up expensive space and staff time and increases the risk of losing colonies through accidents or decreased genetic vigour. It seems likely that changes in legislation within DEA will streamline the regulatory process in the near future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
The ecology and control of Opuntia Aurantiaca in South Africa in relation to the cochineal insect, Dactylopius Austrinus
- Authors: Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 1982
- Subjects: Cochineal insect -- South Africa Cactus -- South Africa Weeds -- Control -- South Africa Insect-plant relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5612 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003061
- Description: The cochineal insect Dactylopius austrinus De Lotto, which was released on jointed cactus, Opuntia aurantiaca Lindley, in South Africa in 1932, failed to bring the weed under an acceptable level of control in spite of the encouraging results during the first few years after release. The reasons for this apparent failure were never clearly understood. In 1957 the State embarked on an intensive herbicidal control programme which is still in force today. This sustained and expensive programme has undoubtedly reduced the density of the weed in most areas but has failed to solve the problem and the plant continues to expand its range. The biological control of o. aurantiaca in South Africa has been fundamentally influenced by this chemical control campaign. The relationship between chemical and biological control methods is reported in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1982
- Authors: Zimmermann, Helmuth G
- Date: 1982
- Subjects: Cochineal insect -- South Africa Cactus -- South Africa Weeds -- Control -- South Africa Insect-plant relationships
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:5612 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003061
- Description: The cochineal insect Dactylopius austrinus De Lotto, which was released on jointed cactus, Opuntia aurantiaca Lindley, in South Africa in 1932, failed to bring the weed under an acceptable level of control in spite of the encouraging results during the first few years after release. The reasons for this apparent failure were never clearly understood. In 1957 the State embarked on an intensive herbicidal control programme which is still in force today. This sustained and expensive programme has undoubtedly reduced the density of the weed in most areas but has failed to solve the problem and the plant continues to expand its range. The biological control of o. aurantiaca in South Africa has been fundamentally influenced by this chemical control campaign. The relationship between chemical and biological control methods is reported in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1982
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