A Practical Guide to Managing Invasive Alien Plants by WWF
The Cape Floral Region is an area of exceptional and unique biodiversity. It is the smallest of only six floral kingdoms in the world and the only one found entirely within a single country.
The Cape Floral Kingdom extends across the Western Cape and parts of the Northern and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa, from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) to Cape Town and north towards Nieuwoudtville. The region is internationally recognised for its extraordinary biodiversity and ecological importance.
The high biodiversity and endemism of the Cape Floral Region have led to it being considered a biodiversity hotspot. There are 36 recognised biodiversity hotspots around the world. These are areas with very high levels of biodiversity that are also under significant threat from human activities.
The mountain catchments of the Cape Floral Region are part of South Africa’s Strategic Water Source Areas. These are areas that cover only 10% of the country’s land but contribute a disproportionate 50% of its water supply. The rainwater that fills the rivers of the Cape Floral Region is a vital water source for millions of people, farms, and industries downstream.
Invasive alien plants (IAPs) are one of the greatest threats to the Cape Floral Region. Fynbos, a shrubland ecosystem, is particularly vulnerable to invasion by wildfire-adapted tree species. Pines, woody acacias, and hakeas have the most significant impacts, especially on water resources, and are among the most challenging species to control.
Infestation levels range from areas that are completely invaded to those that remain free of IAPs. Without effective management, invasive alien plants will continue to spread, threatening this remarkable biodiversity hotspot and the many environmental benefits provided by healthy, functioning ecosystems. It is therefore essential to maintain IAP-free land and prioritise the clearing of areas with low levels of infestation before they become more severely invaded.
