The area around the Breede River near Worcester was the destination of the botanist today. They expected that the river was infested by alien plants and hope to find new invader species and also native plants that have not yet been sampled. A few interesting finds were made like the beautiful flowering bulb Amaryllis Belladonna and the Pearl Acacia Podalyiifollia which is a potential invader and should be contained as soon as possible.
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| Amaryllis Belladonna |
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| Pearl Acacia Podalyiifollia |
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| Collectors with Lize Haywood of Goodyear SA |
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| Stefan Hugo with Renier Balt and Prof Erik Holm surveying the embankments of the Breede River |
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| Invasive Sesbania plant |
2012 Toyota Outreach as seen from my eyes – Barnabas Daru
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| Barnabas with Carla |
One of the themes of the 2012 Toyota Outreach was invasive species in the Cape Floristic Region (CFR). As this draws to a close, the memories and experiences will continue to linger for a long time. The opportunity to work up-close with leading scientists in different fields of biology was particularly rewarding. A highlight was working in a team of like-minded biologist for a common cause – sampling both native and alien species in the CFR.
While lots of invasive species have been collected, e.g. Acacia Podalyriifolia invading from Australia, other charismatic fynbos species also were sampled. It was surprising how many native species were encountered in flower, as autumn is not the main flowering season in the Cape. Notably were the bulbous Amaryllis, Brunsvigia and Nerine species, with flowers ranging from red to pink. Also prominent were the Oxalis species, often hiding in the shade of nearby shrubs and a diversity of Erica species with flowers ranging from pink, yellow and orange to red.
Overall, the trip has been successful largely for two main reasons. Firstly, it took place in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, the CFR famous for its more than 6900 endemic plant species and secondly, the opportunity to participate in gathering information and DNA samples of invasive species in the CFR as alien control is a priority in the region.
In conclusion I would like to thank ALL the sponsors of the 2012 outreach for the opportunity.
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| Prof Erik inspecting an imported fungi used as a biological controller |
Prof Erik on invasives
“Today we visited a streambed, where virtually every plant in sight was a foreign invader – weeds, wattle, blue gum, hakea and sesbania.
Gratifying to find two weevils doing their best on the sesbania. Although they certainly set them back – hopefully enough to curb their unbridled expansion! I presume both were improted for this very purpose.”
A dangerous scenario
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| 8 Circelium or Elephant dung beetle |
How is it possible that a flightless Elephant dung beetle (Circelium) from the Addo Elephant Park area is found in the De Hoop Nature Reserve? This beetle feeds mainly on elephant dung and has no wings to carry it the distance of about 700km between these two areas. The beetle is endemic to that part of the Eastern Cape and is not found anywhere else. This situation can only happen with the intervention of the big invader Homo Sapiens who brought it along in perhaps a tour bus as a souvenir or a keep sake and now the beetle is stranded in a hostile environment for him where it will not survive. Members of the public should be more responsible and consider the consequences of their impulsive or casual actions.
But how can we make a positive contribution to conservation and perhaps take part in this DNA Barcoding Programme?
SANBI and iSpot
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| 9 Dr. Tony Rebelo from SANBI |
The South African National Biodiversity Institute is responsible for exploring, revealing, celebrating and championing biodiversity for the benefit and enjoyment of all South Africans.
The iSpot programme is being pioneered by Dr Tony Rebelo from SANBI, and aimed at serving as an interface to the public. Members of the public can access the web page and post their pictures, observations, questions and comments and the specific location of their observations. Distribution maps are regularly updated and information checked and commented on by specialists. The focus is on both plants and animals and forms part of a framework which was initiated by specialists in the United Kingdom.
The web address is http://za.ispot.uk
Find of the Day: Snuit kewer, Curculionidae
This weevil was introduced as a biological controller, and is encouraging to see that it is found in this area, where it was not introduced. This is a positive indication that this specific weevil is successful and spreading.
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