Balancing the act: dilemmas associated with the eradication of Acacia mearnsii from the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, South Africa
Date
2014-09
Authors
Mukwada, Geofrey, speaker
Breck, Stewart, moderator
International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer
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Abstract
Despite the huge investment that has been made in the control and eradication of Acacia mearnsii there is little evidence to show that the spread of this species will be reversed within the foreseeable future. In South Africa, Acacia mearnsii is considered to be one of the most problematic invasive species in wildlife conservation areas, where it is displacing native species and altering habitats and threatening the balance of ecosystems. This paper assesses the major challenges associated with different approaches of managing Acacia mearnsii invasion around the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in South Africa. The study used remote sensing data to investigate the state of vegetation cover in the northern flanks of the park and adjacent communal grazing areas to determine if invasion by Acacia mearnsii leads to deleterious environmental change, as well as a questionnaire survey to check if the control of the species causes livelihood disruptions within local communities. The study also employed discriminate analysis to assess the differences between the survey responses that were given by park officials and local communities, regarding their perceptions about the environmental impacts of Acacia mearnsii invasion, how the species spreads and how the invasion can be controlled. The paper argues and concludes that though the complete eradication of Acacia mearnsii is not always socially and environmentally desirable, due to the unintended environmental disturbances and livelihood disruptions it leads to, it is crucial for the park's environmental integrity and for the sustained flow of ecosystem services and benefits.
Description
Presented at the 8th international congress for wildlife and livelihoods on private and communal lands: livestock, tourism, and spirit, that was held on September 7-12, 2014 in Estes Park, Colorado.
Rights Access
Subject
Wildlife management -- Congresses
Range management -- Congresses