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Ecologists are increasingly being drawn into the task of addressing
problems of environmental degradation. They are expected to find
solutions that will lead to sustainable resource use throughout the
world. In doing so, the robustness of the science becomes
increasingly important, and the problem of extrapolating the
results of research conducted within what is usually a relatively
limited geographical scope is increasingly highlighted. One
approach to developing a globally robust ecology involves more or
less formal intercontinental comparative studies, usually focused
on the question of ecological convergence. These studies are
directed at testing the prediction that similar physical and other
environmental factors in different parts of the world, through
their selective influences, will give rise to ecosystems which
share com mon structural and functional features. Should this be
true, the predictive power of ecology developed within such a
framework should be sufficient to solve similar problems elsewhere
in such biomes. There is a long history of such an approach in
mediterranean type ecosystems, documented in a series of volumes
and their accompanying scientific papers beginning with that of Di
Castri and Mooney (1973).
This open access volume presents a comprehensive account of all
aspects of biological invasions in South Africa, where research has
been conducted over more than three decades, and where bold
initiatives have been implemented in attempts to control invasions
and to reduce their ecological, economic and social effects. It
covers a broad range of themes, including history, policy
development and implementation, the status of invasions of animals
and plants in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments, the
development of a robust ecological theory around biological
invasions, the effectiveness of management interventions, and
scenarios for the future. The South African situation stands out
because of the remarkable diversity of the country, and the wide
range of problems encountered in its varied ecosystems, which has
resulted in a disproportionate investment into both research and
management. The South African experience holds many lessons for
other parts of the world, and this book should be of immense value
to researchers, students, managers, and policy-makers who deal with
biological invasions and ecosystem management and conservation in
most other regions.
This open access volume presents a comprehensive account of all
aspects of biological invasions in South Africa, where research has
been conducted over more than three decades, and where bold
initiatives have been implemented in attempts to control invasions
and to reduce their ecological, economic and social effects. It
covers a broad range of themes, including history, policy
development and implementation, the status of invasions of animals
and plants in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments, the
development of a robust ecological theory around biological
invasions, the effectiveness of management interventions, and
scenarios for the future. The South African situation stands out
because of the remarkable diversity of the country, and the wide
range of problems encountered in its varied ecosystems, which has
resulted in a disproportionate investment into both research and
management. The South African experience holds many lessons for
other parts of the world, and this book should be of immense value
to researchers, students, managers, and policy-makers who deal with
biological invasions and ecosystem management and conservation in
most other regions.
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