scholarly journals Contributions to the National Status Report on Biological Invasions in South Africa

Bothalia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
John R.U. Wilson ◽  
Mirijam Gaertner ◽  
David M. Richardson ◽  
Brian W. Van Wilgen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Invasions ◽  
Invasive Plants ◽  
National Level ◽  
Status Report ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
The Status ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact

South Africa has committed to producing a National Status Report on Biological Invasions by October 2017 and thereafter every three years. This will be the first status report at a national level specifically on biological invasions. As part of soliciting input, a workshop was held in May 2016 that led to this special issue of 19 papers in the journal Bothalia: African Biodiversity and Conservation. This editorial introduces the symposium, discusses the special issue and summarises how each contribution provides an estimate of ‘status’. Papers focus on key pathways, taxa, areas, and evaluations of interventions, specifically the movement of taxa between South Africa and neighbouring countries; the dispersal pathways of amphibians; a review of alien animals; a report on changes in the number and abundance of alien plants; in-depth reviews of the status of invasions for cacti, fishes, fungi and grasses; an assessment of the impact of widespread invasive plants on animals; reviews on invasions in municipalities, protected areas and subAntarctic Islands; assessments of the efficacy of biological control and other control programmes; and recommendations for how to deal with conflict species, to conduct scientific assessments and to improve risk assessments. The papers in this special issue confirm that South Africa is an excellent place to study invasions that can provide insights for understanding and managing invasions in other countries. Negative impacts seem to be largely precipitated by certain taxa (especially plants), whereas invasions by a number of other groups do not, yet, seem to have caused the widespread negative impacts felt in other countries. Although South Africa has effectively managed a few biological invasions (e.g. highly successful biological control of some invasive plants), the key challenge seems to be to establish and maintain a strong link between implementation, monitoring, reporting and planning.

scholarly journals Data Fitness for Monitoring the Status of Biological Invasions: Lessons from South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tendamudzimu Munyai
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Invasive Species ◽  
Biological Invasions ◽  
Research Policy ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Status Report ◽  
Final Report ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Data Gaps ◽  
The Status

In November 2018, South Africa published the first National Status Report on Biological Invasions and Their Management (SANBI and CIB 2018). This report represents a milestone for the Republic of South Africa and the world since it is believed to be the first comprehensive national-scale assessment for biological invasions. Moreover, the report is a formal mechanism to increase the connectivity between research, policy, and implementation, and it will be followed by assessments every three years. Data used in the report originated from a range of data sources, including formal and grey data repositories, atlas data, published scientific papers, theses, inputs from experts and practitioners, and management records from government agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). Several important data gaps were identified during data collection and analysis. These data gaps are largely due to a lack of a central data repository, inconsistent species checklists, data transparency, and data interoperability (due in part to a lack of consistent definitions, taxonomic classification, and use of varying data standards). To address these data gaps, the team identified several forms of databases and requested access to the data. The data received required that the team perform a preliminary validation for metadata and data completeness. Parallel to the process of sourcing and validating the data, the team compiled three comprehensive national alien and invasive species checklists, which were then verified and validated by taxonomists. These processes were followed by adopting and developing metrics to prepare data for analyses. The team identified, notwithstanding the numerous data classification schemes available, A Proposed Unified Framework for Biological Invasions (Blackburn et al. 2011), and the Environmental Impact Classification for Alien Taxa (EICAT) Scheme (Hawkins et al. 2015). These two classifications were used to assess the status of species introduction and impact, respectively. Other metrics that were developed include the confidence level metrics to assign the validated data to the indicators and criteria for reviewing area-based invasive species management plans. Finally, the data were used to assess four aspects of the report: pathways of introduction; status of alien species; status of invaded areas; and effectiveness of control measures and regulations. A total of 21 indicators were developed to assess the status of these aspects. In addition, four high-level indicators (one for each aspect) were developed for use in the national suite of environmental indicators on which the Department of Environmental Affairs reports on a regular basis. The next steps include communicating and interpreting the indicators as part of the final report; developing monitoring and reporting systems in an attempt to fill the data gaps; testing and refining the indicators with stakeholders; continuously validating and verifying the alien and invasive species checklists with a wider network of country experts; and building simulation models to assess the inter-relationship and value of indicators.

scholarly journals Assessing the status of biological control as a management tool for suppression of invasive alien plants in South Africa

Bothalia ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Costas Zachariades ◽  
Iain D. Paterson ◽  
Lorraine W. Strathie ◽  
Martin P. Hill ◽  
Brian W. Van Wilgen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Biological Control ◽  
Biological Invasions ◽  
Mass Rearing ◽  
Alien Plants ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Application Process ◽  
Invasive Alien Plants ◽  
Financial Investment ◽  
The Status

Background: Biological control of invasive alien plants (IAPs) using introduced natural enemies contributes significantly to sustained, cost-effective management of natural resources in South Africa. The status of, and prospects for, biological control is therefore integral to National Status Reports (NSRs) on Biological Invasions, the first of which is due in 2017. Objectives: Our aim was to evaluate the status of, and prospects for, biological control of IAPs in South Africa. We discuss expansion of biological control and suggest indicators to be used in the upcoming NSR to assess sufficient growth. Method: We used published literature, unpublished work and personal communication to assess the status of biological control of IAPs. We propose indicators based on the targets for biological control that were proposed in the 2014 ‘National Strategy for dealing with biological invasions in South Africa’. To prioritise targets for future efforts, we used published lists of damaging IAPs and assessed the prospects for their biological control. Recommendations for using biological control as a management tool were made after discussion among the authors and with colleagues. Results: Significant control of several Cactaceae, Australian Acacia species and floating aquatic plants, and many other IAPs has been achieved in South Africa since 1913. Recently, biological control has benefited from improved international collaboration, a streamlined application process for the release of new biological control agents (resulting in the approval of 19 agents against 13 IAP species since 2013), and increased funding and capacity. There is still a need to improve implementation and to better integrate biological control with other control methods. In order to maximise benefits from biological control, increased investment is required, particularly in implementation and post-release evaluation, and in targeting new IAPs. Proposed targets for growth between 2017 and 2020 include an increase in financial investment in research by 29%, implementation by 28% and mass-rearing by 68%. Research capacity should increase by 29%, implementation capacity by 63% and mass-rearing capacity by 61%. New research projects should be initiated on 12 new IAP targets, while post-release monitoring efforts should be expanded to another 31 IAPs. Conclusion: Biological control of IAPs has contributed substantially to their management in South Africa, and continues to do so. Further investment in targeted aspects of IAP biological control will increase this contribution.

scholarly journals The Impact of Anti-Retroviral Therapy on Tuberculosis Detection at the National Level in South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. 1407-1414
Author(s):  
Zoë M. McLaren ◽  
Alana Sharp ◽  
Elizabeth Brouwer ◽  
Ananta Nanoo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Level ◽  
The Impact

Corporal Punishment: Law Reform Lessons for Australia from South Africa and New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laetitia-Ann Greeff
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
Cultural Change ◽  
National Level ◽  
Law Reform ◽  
Constitutional Court ◽  
In Loco Parentis ◽  
A Charge ◽  
The Impact

This article compares the law reform methods employed by South Africa and New Zealand to eliminate the defence of ‘moderate and reasonable chastisement’ to a charge of common assault, to determine the best possible law reform strategy for Australian jurisdictions, within the context of its federal system of governance. South Africa and New Zealand banned corporal punishment on a national level, with South Africa prohibiting the use of corporal punishment by way of the judicial condemnation of the Constitutional Court in 2019, and New Zealand’s legislation to ban corporal punishment through Parliamentary processes in 2007. Corporal punishment in the home is still legal in Australia if administered by parents or those in loco parentis. This article focuses on the three Australian States that have enacted human rights legislation—Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Queensland—and the impact of this legislation on judicial law reform. In this regard, the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty is discussed in terms of its ability to limit public interest litigation’s viability to strike down inconsistent legislation. The article suggests that all three countries can learn from one another concerning the successes and/or failures of law reform. Furthermore, the article concludes by acknowledging that even though formal abolition is the norm in South Africa and New Zealand, corporal punishment remains widespread. Parents and those in loco parentis must be supported by continual education initiatives to bring about requisite social and cultural change.

Youth welfare work

2018 ◽  
pp. 180-216
Author(s):  
Carole Holohan
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Welfare Work ◽  
Youth Welfare ◽  
The Status ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
The Many ◽  
Changing Attitudes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
International Strategies

Chapter five focuses on the development of youth welfare work, in particular the youth club, as a response to concerns that young people were not using their leisure time appropriately. Fred Powell, Martin Geoghegan, Margaret Scanlon and Katharina Swirak highlight how an international volunteer boom in the 1960s, and in the field of youth work in particular, in part reflected changing attitudes to youth and concerns about what seemed a disaffected generation. This chapter assesses developments in youth work at a local and national level, highlighting the impact of international strategies in this field and the tensions between the many players in the Irish scene. It attests to the ways in which external frameworks, emanating from supranational bodies such as the Council of Europe and the United Nations, reframed understandings of youth in the adult imagination and influenced how youth was perceived by voluntary and statutory organisations. It also highlights the ways in which some international ideas and models were embraced but others challenged the status quo, and therefore faced resistance.

Energy and transport issues for Gauteng, South Africa

2007 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 11-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.J. Cooper
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Liquid Fuel ◽  
Light Rail ◽  
Structure Development ◽  
Excessive Pressure ◽  
Road Congestion ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Imported Oil ◽  
The Impact

Rapid urbanisation brings unwelcome negative impacts, and places excessive pressure on infra-structure development and maintenance. In partic-ular, transport networks become congested with negative impacts on energy logistics. The liquid fuel situation of South Africa and Gauteng is briefly examined. The paper considers the impact of con-strained oil supply, and supply infrastructure, on transport. The author further suggests that the authorities in Gauteng should critically examine an ultra light rail option in order to reduce reliance on imported oil, while helping reduce road congestion. A more energy efficient transport network for the province, able to meet the transport needs of pas-sengers and business, will help decrease environ-mentally damaging emissions.

scholarly journals Impact of Government Expenditure on Agricultural Productivity in South Africa

2019 ◽  
pp. 1734-1742
Author(s):  
Megbowon Ebenezer ◽  
Saul Ngarava ◽  
Nsikak-Abasi Etim ◽  
Oluwabunmi Popoola
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Level ◽  
Government Expenditure ◽  
Agricultural Productivity ◽  
Government Funding ◽  
Series Data ◽  
Agricultural System ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The Impact

Government expenditure has been considered to be having an extent of impact on economic performance at both sectoral level and aggregate national level. Evidence from literature, however shows that this notion has not been generally accepted across countries and sectors. Considering the significance of agriculture in an economy most especially in Africa, and the consequent role of government, this study examines the impact of government expenditure on agricultural productivity in South Africa using annual time series data from 1983 to 2016. It is shown that there exists a long-run relationship between government expenditure on agriculture and agricultural productivity, and a positive significant effect only to be expected in the long-run. The finding underscores the non-negotiable role of the South African government funding of agricultural sector in an era of climate change and a highly commercialized agricultural system. Furthermore, considering the low and declining pattern of government expenditure in the sector in South Africa, the desired productivity growth impact will only be experienced in the long-run all things being equal. Improving government funding in the sector could accelerate the desired agricultural productivity in the short-term.

scholarly journals Digital Archiving for Archaeology: the state of the art in Argentina

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés D. Izeta ◽  
Roxana Cattáneo
Keyword(s):  
State Of The Art ◽  
National Level ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
The State ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Archaeological Research ◽  
General Evaluation ◽  
Research Infrastructures ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Impact

This article discusses the state-of-the art of digital archives for archaeological research in Argentina. It also presents and characterises the national and international legal framework and the role played by funding agencies and professional bodies in archaeological practice. In addition, it reports how legal corpora regulate the impact on the management of archaeological digital data. Research infrastructures available at the national level are described, such as the Suquía, an institutional digital archive devoted to archaeology since 2016. Finally, we make a general evaluation of the status quo of research infrastructures mostly concerned with preserving and disseminating data from archaeological research at the national level.

THE CHALLENGES OF THE TECHNOLOGY 4.0 AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WITHIN TOTAL WAR STRATEGY STRUCTURE

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Ruslan Arief ◽  
Helda Risman ◽  
Rudy Sutanto
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
National Level ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
National Defense ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Qualitative Phenomenology ◽  
Total War ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Do So

<p class="Els-history-head">The development of information technology has a significant impact on various important aspects of life. Apart from positive impacts, there are also negative impacts that are important to know and anticipate to prevent major damage and losses. On a broad scale, namely at the national level, the development of information technology can also affect the development of national defense as it is known that the nature of Indonesia's defense is total defense, which is prepared to face the total war. Based on the explanation above, the purpose of this <em>study</em> is to examine the impact of the development of information technology on the implementation of Indonesia's total war strategy. The approach used is qualitative phenomenology with research data in the form of secondary data collected using literature studies. The data is then analyzed using qualitative analysis techniques. The results of the study indicate that the development of information technology has both positive and negative impacts. These impacts encourage the need for changes and adjustments to the total war strategy implemented by Indonesia. This is important to do so that Indonesia can have a stronger defense in preparation for a total war that may occur in the future.</p>

Mini Special Issue on Cyber Security

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1039-1039
Author(s):  
Kenji Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Cyber Security ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
National Level ◽  
Cyber Attacks ◽  
Organizational Response ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Valuable Contribution ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Professional Advice ◽  
The Impact

As our daily lives and socioeconomic activities have increasingly come to depend on information systems and networks, the impact of disruptions to these systems and networks have also become more complex and diversified. In urban areas, where people, goods, money, and information are highly concentrated, the possibility of chain failures and confusion beyond our expectations and experience is especially high. The vulnerabilities in our systems and networks on have become the targets of cyber attacks, which have come to cause socioeconomic problems with increasing likelihood. To counter these attacks, technological countermeasures alone are insufficient, and countermeasures such as the development of professional skills and organizational response capabilities as well as the implementation of cyber security schemes based on public-private partnerships (PPP) at the national level must be carried out as soon as possible. In this JDR mini special issue on Cyber Security, I have tried to expand the scope of traditional cyber security discussions with mainly technological aspects. I have also succeeded in including non-technological aspects to provide feasible measures that will help us to prepare for, respond to, and recover from socioeconomic damage caused by advancing cyber attacks. Finally, I am truly grateful for the authors’ insightful contributions and the referees’ acute professional advice, which together make this JDR mini special issue a valuable contribution to making our society more resilient to incoming cyber attacks.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document