South African researchers seek natural enemy for invasive brambles
Researchers in South Africa are working to find a natural predator to control invasive alien brambles that have spread since the early 1900s.
Invasive plants damage local ecosystems
These weeds from North America and Europe now cover vast areas of tree plantations and native grasslands. Dense thickets choke open spaces while restricting access to water sources for wildlife. The infestations also displace native vegetation and harm specialist flower visitors like butterflies.
Current control methods fail
Traditional chemical and mechanical controls do not work against the sheer scale of these invasions. High costs make treatment unviable for low-value land, and rugged terrain limits access to affected sites. The plants can resprout from rootstocks or re-emerge from seeds dispersed by birds.
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