Durban North Conservancy sees increase in alien species
Along roadsides, verges, parks and nature reserves, the City is currently awash with yellow invasive plants and while these plants look attractive, their impact is much bigger than we can imagine, explains Jane Troughton.
JANE Troughton, a member of the Durban North Conservancy has expressed her concern over the increase in alien invasive species as Durban experiences ‘yellow season’.
Along roadsides, verges, parks and nature reserves, the City is currently awash with yellow invasive plants and while these plants look attractive, their impact is much bigger than we can imagine, explains Troughton.
Troughton has developed a pamphlet on the most common alien invasive plants in the Durban North area and how to eradicate them. She’s also put together a pamphlet on the most common yellow alien invasive plants and their eco-sustaining alternatives.
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“Just driving around the area I’ve noticed a rapid and aggressive growth of these alien invasive plants including yellow bells (Tecoma stans), Mexican sunflowers (Tiffonia diversifolia) and Buttercup bush (Senna septembrionalis) on verges and in public parks. Importantly the increase in these alien invasive species reduces the diversity of indigenous plants. They also affect water availability and damage the quality of the soil. Once invasive alien species have invaded a habitat, it alters the eco-system.
“I feel all residents can play a role in protecting our eco-systems by starting in our back yards. I do understand objectively that some of these alien invasive plants are beautiful but there are equally beautiful indigenous yellow species to plant in their place. We have to understand that this proliferation of invasives means a whole system is impacted. We’ve seen some cases where birds and insects showing preference to alien invasive species which in turn hurts our indigenous flora which means we are losing bio-diversity, not just in plants, but in all species. If residents would like a copy of the pamphlet, I urge them to email me and I’m happy to share it with them,” she said.
If you would like a copy of any of the pamphlets, email: janetroughton.mjt@gmail.com.
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