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Identifying high risk pathways and species to prevent biological invasions in South Africa
Thesis (PhD (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2015.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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2026
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| _version_ | 1867613553662361600 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Robertson, Mark P. |
| author_browse | Robertson, Mark P. |
| author_facet | Robertson, Mark P. |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Thesis (PhD (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2015. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110086 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:58.997Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/110086 Identifying high risk pathways and species to prevent biological invasions in South Africa Robertson, Mark P. katelynfaulkner@gmail.com Rouget, Mathieu., Wilson, John R. Faulkner, Katelyn Terri Thesis (PhD (Zoology))--University of Pretoria, 2015. Preventing the introduction of invasive species, using pathway- or species-centred approaches, is often the most cost effective way to manage biological invasions. Unfortunately, the pathways of introduction are understudied, and little work has been done in South Africa on species-centred prevention strategies. Here the South African pathways of introduction are assessed, and a watch list methodology that can be used to identify potential future invasive species is presented and tested. South African alien species databases were identified and their information content assessed. The results showed that for most taxonomic groups (60%–90% of taxonomic groups), introduction pathway, date of introduction, region of origin and current broad-scale distribution data are available. But data on invasion status, introduction effort and introduction source are available for few taxonomic groups (5%–18% of taxonomic groups). Additionally, South Africa’s databases have a lower information content than databases for many other countries. The data from these South African databases and a pathway classification scheme, which was developed for use in management and policy, were then used to assess South Africa’s Abstract viii pathways of introduction. The pathways were found to vary in their importance across organisms, in their influence on invasion success, and over time. Additionally, it was concluded that the escape pathway for plants and vertebrates, and the contaminant and stowaway pathways for invertebrates pose the greatest threat to South African biosecurity. The stowaway pathway was then assessed in more detail. Firstly, trade and tourism data and climate matching techniques were used to determine the seasonal invasion risk posed to South Africa by donor regions. Results showed that South Africa’s invasion risk varies across donor regions and seasons and that risk is greatest in spring and autumn when South Africa is climatically similar to northern hemisphere countries. A theoretical model was then used to demonstrate that prioritising inspection strategies based on invasion risk increases strategy efficacy and reduces inspection effort. Secondly, shipping as a vector for stowaway invasions in South Africa was evaluated. Shipping movement data and environmental matches were used to determine the marine and terrestrial invasion risk posed to South Africa by shipping routes from donor regions and ports, and how this risk varies seasonally. For both environments, invasion risk varied across shipping routes from donor regions and ports and, to a certain extent, seasonally. Additionally, the risk posed by shipping routes varied across South African ports. A simple, rapid and inexpensive watch list methodology was developed using the three consistent predictors of invasion success – a history of invasion, climate suitability and propagule pressure. The methodology was tested using South Africa as a case study, and 400 potential future invaders were identified. This watch list methodology has advanced the development of species-centred prevention strategies for South Africa and other developing regions. Additionally, the research presented in this thesis has furthered global and local knowledge on the pathways of introduction for invasive species, and will hopefully lead to effective and efficient pathway-centred prevention strategies. Although further research on these topics is required in South Africa, support for such research is available. Zoology and Entomology PhD (Zoology) 2026-05-15T17:26:16Z 2026-05-15T17:26:16Z 15/10/01 2015 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110086 en application/pdf |
| spellingShingle | Identifying high risk pathways and species to prevent biological invasions in South Africa |
| title | Identifying high risk pathways and species to prevent biological invasions in South Africa |
| title_full | Identifying high risk pathways and species to prevent biological invasions in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Identifying high risk pathways and species to prevent biological invasions in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identifying high risk pathways and species to prevent biological invasions in South Africa |
| title_short | Identifying high risk pathways and species to prevent biological invasions in South Africa |
| title_sort | identifying high risk pathways and species to prevent biological invasions in south africa |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/110086 |