Page 27 - State of Biodiversity Report 2022/2023

ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY’S WEED BUSTER WEEK 2022
The annual Weed Buster Week workshop is a multi-departmental initiative led by eThekwini Municipality’s Biodiversity Management Department (BMD). Weed Buster Week aims to raise awareness on the management of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and ensures the ongoing control of Invasive Alien Plant (IAP) initiatives are effective and sustainable. This year’s workshop was attended by over 80 stakeholders from various organizations, including EM, EKZNW, SANBI, DFFE, EDTEA, Transnet, NPO’S, academia, conservancies, and EM service providers. It was held at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC), on the 5th of October 2022, themed Managing for Resilience. Speakers from all over South Africa were invited to present on managing IAS for socio-ecological resilience.
Invasive species out-compete native plants and animals, devastating industries, communities,
and native cultures that rely on the country’s natural resources. They also degrade waterways,
harming water quality and limiting recreational opportunities, posing the single largest threat to South Africa’s economy, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Keynote speaker Dr Mayonde gave the first talk that looked at the necessary tools for managing IAPs, briefly spoke about the mechanism of invasion and highlighted IAP management methods and biological techniques. Dr Mayonde was followed by Ms Buthelezi who provided a brief overview of three large-scale programmes the EM is implementing to combat IAS and the difficulties
that these programmes face. The programmes are Working for Ecosystems (WFE), Community Reforestation Project (CRP), and Fire & Invasive Species Control (FISC). Herbicide application and the legal framework behind IAS management were the main topics of Ms Muir’s presentation giving an overview of several herbicide types as well as the dangers associated with them.
Ms Shabalala’s presentation focused on the main goal of The Early Detection & Rapid Response (EDRR) Programme which ensures that newly discovered and emerging IAPs were quickly managed and controlled. Ms Shabalala then highlighted that only six of the category 1a species under the supervision of South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) are found within EM. Sithembiso Sangweni provided background information on several IAPs found in or close to watercourses as well as the impacts that these species have in affecting
South Africa’s water security. Pontederia crassipes and Pistia stratiotes are the primary species found on watercourses that Duzi Umngeni Conservation Trust (DUCT) has identified as problematic. Mr McClean presented about mosaic governance in urban conservation and
used Giba Gorge special rating area as an example where landowners and the local municipality work together to enhance important ecological features. Further stating that this kind of concept guarantees community involvement, which leads to the community managing these areas for themselves and further lowering the management costs to the municipality. Ms Mdidimba gave a presentation on her most recent research of the invasion of freshwater crayfish, emphasizing the necessity for efficient ways in detecting alien freshwater crayfish
and the effectiveness of eDNA to confirm the presence of invasive alien crayfish. Mr Condotti gave a brief background on eThekwini conservancies and what they do, he then highlighted the need to have a plan for intervention and funds to continue the work. Mr Mlotshwa, a service provider for the Working for Ecosystems programme, discussed the programme’s accomplishments and lessons learned. The last presenter for the day Ms James, discussed her research on prevalence of Wild Boar, Sus scrofa, in South Africa. Ms James highlighted legislative interventions that may be made, such as outlining requirements for farmers to keep Sus scrofa and allowing for its sale.
Giving thanks to all the informative presentations and attendees, this year’s successful workshop strengthened the knowledge of how managing ecosystems is not a one-time endeavour. Undertaking ecosystem restoration calls for a lot of planning and resources. The need for advocacy and awareness in ecosystem restoration as well as buy-in from communities are other crucial issues that were highlighted by the speakers.
STATE OF BIODIVERSITY REPORT 2022/2023 25