Acacia mearnsii

Suppression of seed production as a long-term strategy in weed biological control: The combined impact of two biocontrol agents on Acacia mearnsii in South Africa

Background

Acacia mearnsii is a woody plant native to Southeastern Australia and Tasmania. Introduced into South Africa in the mid-1800s for timber, the species has become invasive to the region. Reducing the amount of precipitation reaching the ground, hindering agriculture and lowering biodiversity are just a few of the detrimental impacts. Though there has been pushback to controlling this species for commercial interests, two biological control agents, a seed-feeding weevil and a flower-galling midge are known to control species spread and are introduced to the region.

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Fires in exotic forest plantations of Zimbabwe: Causes and management strategies

BACKGROUND

Of the 201,704-ha allocated to plantation forestry in Zimbabwe, 95,754-ha is usable. Forest plantations are mainly composed of Eucalyptus, Wattle and Pine. The dominant species grown are Pinus patula, P. taeda, E. grandis and Acacia mearnsii. Revenue is generated from timber exports. Forest fires are the major contributors of significant financial losses in these commercial plantations. Hence this article examines the causes of these fires and possible strategies for mitigating these anthropogenic fires.

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Native Forest Regeneration in Pine and Eucalypt Plantations in Northern Province, South Africa

background

This study assesses understory colonization by indigenous plant species in exotic tree plantations established on grasslands growing adjacent to native mixed evergreen forest in Northern Province, South Africa.

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Regeneration of Indigenous Trees in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda

background

This study examines the dominant exotic species, their distribution and effect on the regeneration of indigenous tree species in the formerly encroached area of Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, southwestern Uganda. The 4 habitat types examined were exotic woodlots, old croplands and natural forest habitat.

Research Goals & Methods

Indigenous species diversity was assessed by systematic sampling of the vegetation and soils in transect plots.

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