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Emerging Ornamental Plant Invaders in Urban Areas—Centranthus ruber in Cape Town, South Africa as a Case Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2017

Sjirk Geerts ,
Taryn Rossenrode ,
Ulrike M. Irlich  and
Vernon Visser
Sjirk Geerts*
Affiliation:
Senior Lecturer, Department of Conservation and Marine Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, P.O. Box 652, Cape Town 8000, South Africa
Taryn Rossenrode
Affiliation:
Researcher, Land Programme, WWF-SA, Boundary Terraces, Bridge House First Floor, Mariendahl Lane, Newlands, Cape Town 7700, South Africa
Ulrike M. Irlich
Affiliation:
Researcher, Centre for Invasion Biology, Environmental Resource Management Department (ERMD), City of Cape Town, Westlake Conservation Office, Ou Kaapse Weg, Tokai, Cape Town 7966, South Africa
Vernon Visser
Affiliation:
Researcher, SEEC–Statistics in Ecology, Environment and Conservation, Department of Statistical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa, and African Climate and Development Initiative, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town 7701, South Africa
*
*Corresponding author’s E-mail: sjirkgeerts@gmail.com
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Abstract

Plant species that receive significant human introduction effort and assistance generally are the most problematic invaders. Despite this, invasive ornamental species in urban settings have received relatively little attention if not invading natural areas. Here we consider Centranthus ruber in an urban setting in South Africa as a case study and explore when emerging invaders are able to cross the urban–wildland interface and what hinders early eradication in urban environments. Centranthus ruber was introduced into Cape Town, South Africa, more than a century ago as a garden ornamental, but until recently was not considered invasive. We determine the current and potential future distribution in South Africa, evaluate current management activities, and provide recommendations for control and legislation. By August 2013, we had found 64 populations, of which 31 were casual, 27 naturalized, and 6 invasive. This increased to more than 530 identified populations by the end of 2015, due to both spread and increased awareness. Centranthus ruber can invade near-pristine areas, with one population found in natural vegetation in the Table Mountain National Park. However, with only one slowly spreading population, the threat might be limited. We found no difference in plant mortality between chemical and mechanical clearing, but with mechanical clearing stimulating the soil seedbank, we recommend chemical methods. Using a species distribution model, we found large parts of South Africa, including the southwestern Cape where we conducted our surveys, to be climatically suitable for this species. Consequently, the category 1b regional listing in NEM:BA in the Western Cape is justified, but a listing in other parts of the country also might be appropriate. Based on our findings, we suggest that the extirpation of C. ruber in South Africa is possible, but without buy-in from residents in urban environments, reinvasion will render this impossible. This study stresses the importance of managing and legislating emerging invaders at the urban–wildland interface and the monitoring of common ornamental species with invasive traits.

Keywords

Red valerianCentranthus ruber (L.) DCAustralian weed risk assessment protocolCaprifoliaceaeemerging invadersglyphosateinvasive alien plant speciesMaxentPRECISrisk assessmentSouth AfricaSouth African Plant Invaders Atlas (SAPIA)species distribution modelstriclopyr
Type
Research and Education
Information
Invasive Plant Science and Management , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , December 2017 , pp. 322 - 331
Copyright
© Weed Science Society of America, 2017 

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Footnotes

Associate Editor: John A. Randall, University of California, Davis.

References

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