Ornamental horticulture in Southern Africa: strategic actions to address biological invasions

TL;DR

The paper explores how to manage invasive ornamental plants in Southern Africa by understanding stakeholder perspectives and proposing strategic actions.

Contribution

The study introduces a stakeholder-informed framework for managing invasive ornamental plants through improved collaboration and socio-political awareness.

Findings

Stakeholders in Southern Africa are actively addressing invasive ornamental plants but require more integrated approaches.

Recommendations include fostering collaboration and addressing socio-political factors to manage invasions effectively.

The study emphasizes the need to involve marginalized groups and address power imbalances in invasive species management.

Abstract

Southern Africa has a well-documented history of intentional plant introductions for ornamental purposes, but some of these plants have become widespread damaging invaders. Conflicts can arise when stakeholders’ attitudes differ towards ornamental invasive plants and their management. We examined the views of stakeholders involved in the ornamental sector and environmental management across Southern Africa in light of the strategic actions proposed by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services' thematic assessment on ‘Invasive Alien Species and their Control.’ Our analysis is based on semi-structured interviews, informal conversations, and observations with 78 environmental specialists, 30 ornamental-related industry staff, and 24 plant enthusiasts from Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Eswatini. Our analysis shows that significant efforts are ongoing in Southern Africa to address biological invasions from the ornamental sector. However, they need more integration and consideration of the broader geopolitical and socio-historical context. We reflected on these needs and recommend: 1) improving cohesion and collaboration amongst stakeholders, 2) ensuring pluralism by recognising and valuing marginalised groups, 3) addressing power differences and superiority-inferiority complexes, and 4) seeking alliances with existing sub-regional groups working in the realm of nature-society interplay. We believe that our recommendations contribute toward the necessary transformative change for tackling the underlying political and economic causes of plant invasions derived from the ornamental sector in the sub-region.

Figures