Industrial-scale processing of invasive alien plant biomass as a valuable resource could be good news for the environment
Industrial-scale processing of invasive alien plant biomass as a valuable resource could be good news for the environment
“South Africa is perhaps one of the hardest-hit countries in the world as far as the impact of invasive alien plants is concerned, and the impact thereof is steadily on the increase,” says Cobus Meiring of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI).
“The result of thousands of hectares of invasive alien plants on the South African landscape, now coupled with unfolding climate change impacts, is many-fold and well recorded. Invasive alien plants include enormous environmental destruction as a result of regular and out-of-control wildfire disasters, the compounding of water-stressed situations such as the Cape Town “Day Zero” catastrophe, and untold loss of indigenous biodiversity countrywide.”
The Goukamma River. Photos: SCLI
GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - A recent workshop at the edge of the Goukamma River at Buffalo Bay, highlighted the plight of Garden Route river systems and the importance of responsible land management practices in reducing environmental risks, including water security and wildfire events, associated with invasive alien plants.
Cobus Meiring, of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI), says the Garden Route is a hothouse for invasive alien plants, and the region is in a seemingly perpetual struggle to eradicate and control them.
The prevalence and aggressive spread of invasive alien plants have a profoundly negative effect on the extremely vulnerable Garden Route environment and biodiversity.
“A recent workshop conducted at the edge of the Goukamma River at Buffels Bay, highlighted the plight of Garden Route river systems and the importance of responsible land management practices in reducing environmental risks, including water security and wildfire events, associated with invasive alien plants,” says Cobus Meiring of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI). The SCLI Invasive Alien Plant Workshop for Landowners and Invasive Alien Plant Contractors was held at the Buffels Bay Community Hall on 21 April 2021.
At a recent workshop conducted by the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI) in Buffels Bay, Pamela Booth, Environmental Manager of Knysna Municipality, informed landowners on the various species of invasive alien plants that are common in the Garden Route. (Photo: SCLI)
Fire-resistant droppers for SA farmers Veld fires have costly consequences for farmers’ fences, but a recycled plastic compound may offer a lasting solution in the shape of fire-resistant fencing droppers. Source Wednesday, 21 April 2021, 11:51 Fence droppers produced from recycled commercial plastic offers farmers a fire-resistant option to replace wooden droppers.
AGRICULTURE NEWS - “Devastating veld fires ripping across the South African landscape result in multi-million rand damages to farmers annually, ranging from loss of vital grazing resources, fences, livestock, infrastructure and often loss of life,” says Cobus Meiring of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI).
Costs associated with getting farmers back into business following run-away wildfire disasters start with replacing hundreds of kilometres of fencing, without which it is simply not possible to affect agricultural act
Fire-resistant fencing droppers offer a new alternative for replacing agricultural fencing after veld fires
Veld fires have costly consequences for farmers’ fences, but a recycled plastic compound may offer a lasting solution in the shape of fire-resistant fencing droppers.
“Devastating veld fires ripping across the South African landscape result in multi-million rand damages to farmers annually, ranging from loss of vital grazing resources, fences, livestock, infrastructure and often loss of life,” says Cobus Meiring of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI).
Costs associated with getting farmers back into business following run-away wildfire disasters start with replacing hundreds of kilometres of fencing, without which it is simply not possible to affect agricultural activity, and this is where costs soar, as fencing is a vital but expensive investment. Coupled with the real risk that follow-on fires may well destroy what has just been replaced, a recycled plastic