Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

THE RATE OF RECOLONIZATION BY NATIVE PLANT SPECIES AFTER THE ERADICATION OF THE INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES (POPULUS ALBA L.) IN THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA

Melford Mbedzi, Peter Tshisikhawe, Innocent Sinthumule and Sebataolo Rahlao

Abstract

Biological invasion is one type of environmental change that can, at least to some degree, be effectively managed. This includes the identity, number and invasion status of invasive alien species, and additionally the drivers and pathways of invasive alien species introduction. Twenty four Permanent plots of 10 square meters each were constructed. The number of alien invasive species and native species present in the quadrats were recorded before the plots were cleared. The invasive alien plant species were removed mechanically. There was no significant difference between the numbers of P. alba recorded before the removal in 2016 and after its removal in 2018. The invasive alien plant species still came back in large numbers.