Coordinating invasive alien species management in a biodiversity hotspot: The CAPE Invasive Alien Animals Working Group

• DOI: 10.38201/btha.abc.v50.i1.10
• Publication Date: 2021-04-06T17:13:53Z
• Authors: Sarah J. Davies; Jonathan A. Bell; Dean Impson; Clova Mabin; Marco Meyer; Chandre Rhoda; Louise Stafford; Kirstin Stephens; Mfundo Tafeni; Andrew A. Turner; Nicola J. Van Wilgen; John R.U. Wilson; Julia Wood; John Measey
• Keywords: Cape; Attendance; Alien species

Background: The effectiveness of invasive alien species management in South Africa, and elsewhere, can be mproved by ensuring there are strong links feedbacks between science management. CAPE Invasive Alien Animals Working Group (CAPE IAAWG) was established 2008 to enhance cooperation among stakeholders such as implementing agencies researchers, thereby improve the animals Greater Cape Floristic Region.Objectives: In this article we highlight where how working group has advanced our understanding research implementation objectives consider group’s successes failures.Methods: We analyse attendance meetings different frequency discussion topics on meeting agendas throughout sequence from 2019. document insights based published accounts or experiences authors eight projects.Results: Meetings attended NGOs, universities, local, provincial national government well private individuals. Topics ranged details specific animal invasions (e.g. House Crow Town), considering risks posed broad groups earthworms), techniques guidelines for trapping birds). Through projects described here IAAWG has: (i) contributed capacity building through funding advising post-graduate projects; (ii) provided ad hoc support staff that implement control; (iii) acted a focal point community practice is supportive decision making policy development; (iv) played vital role linking research, manner accessible broader range stakeholders. undertaken reveal several lessons managing animals: importance logistics contract efficiency, need effective stakeholder engagement project team, effectively address conflicts players, including ethical rights considerations processes.Conclusion: been valuable forum decisions. Due its small cost time footprint, remained viable retained core committed members, ongoing institutional buy-in. will remain successful so long supported members their organisations.