Scenarios for the management of invasive Acacia species in a protected area: Implications of clearing efficacy

摘要: In many protected areas in South Africa, invasive Australian Acacia species pose on-going management challenges, perpetuating high long-term costs. Due to limited availability of resources, conservation actions need be prioritised within and across Protected Areas (PA). We draw on comprehensive datasets spanning over 20 years from the Table Mountain National Park model outcomes clearing at different levels efficacy. test a 50 year outlook based current 38 incremental efficacy, ranging 5 100%, assess under which scenarios goal reducing density below 1 plant per hectare for 22,671 ha area is achieved. With resources maximum efficacy (100% control), it would take between 32 42 attain goal. The modelling revealed two main drivers persistence. Firstly, germination seeds added seedbank standing plants made significantly larger contribution future requirements than fire stimulated seed or existing (pre-management) seedbank. Secondly relationship number hectares units that could treated treatment was non-linear. When decreased 100% project minimum target 80% not achieved all areas, but reached <1 reduced 53% PA simulated years. Results emphasize differentiate increasing financial While allows increased effort, this little value absence an increase as low quality implementation perpetuates large budgets time. Conversely, improving budget time, allowing fund re-direction additional alien such early detection rapid control newly introduced species.