Page 60 - State of Biodiversity 2023-2024

4.5.1. Invasive Alien Species (IAS)
Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens, and other organisms that are not indigenous to an ecosystem, and which are capable of spreading naturally (often rapidly) into natural or semi-natural habitats. They can cause economic or environmental harm or can adversely
affect human health. In particular, they impact adversely upon biodiversity, causing the decline or elimination of indigenous species through competition, predation or transmission of pathogens, and the disruption of local ecosystems and ecosystem functions.
What are the NEM: BA IAP categories and what do they mean?
Category 1a: Invasive species that may not be owned, imported into South Africa, grown, moved, sold, given as a gift or dumped in a waterway. These species need to be controlled on your property. Examples include Campuloclinium macrocephalum (Pom Pom Weed), and Diplocyclos palmatus (Lollipop Climber).
Category 1b: Invasive species that may not be owned, imported into South Africa, grown, moved, sold, given as a gift or dumped in a waterway. Category 1b species are major invaders that may need government assistance to remove. All Category 1b species must be contained, and in many cases, they already fall under a government- sponsored management programme. Examples include Ageratina riparia (Creeping Crofton Weed) and Ipomoea indica (Purple Morning Glory).
Category 2: These are invasive species that can remain in your garden but only with a permit, which is granted under very few circumstances. Examples include Morus alba (Common Mulberry), Pinus elliottii (Slash Pine).
Category 3: These are invasive species that can remain in your garden. However, you cannot propagate or sell these species and must control them in your garden. In riparian zones or wetlands all Category 3 plants become Category 1b plants. Examples include Syzygium jambos (Rose Apple) and Duranta erecta (Pigeon Berry).
For more resources on invasive species in Durban, please visit the BMD publications website page: (http://www. durban.gov.za/City_Services/development_planning_ management/environmental_planning_climate_ protection/Publications) or the BMD offices (Room 200, City Engineers Building, 166 K.E. Masinga Road, Durban)
58 STATE OF BIODIVERSITY REPORT 2023/2024