This open access volume presents a comprehensive account of all aspects of biological invasions in South Africa, where research has been conducted over more than three decades, and where bold initiatives have been implemented in attempts to control invasions and to reduce their ecological, economic and social effects. It covers a broad range of themes, including history, policy development and implementation, the status of invasions of animals and plants in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments, the development of a robust ecological theory around biological invasions, the effectiveness of management interventions, and scenarios for the future. The South African situation stands out because of the remarkable diversity of the country, and the wide range of problems encountered in its varied ecosystems, which has resulted in a disproportionate investment into both research and management. The South African experience holds many lessons for other parts of the world, and thisbook should be of immense value to researchers, students, managers, and policy-makers who deal with biological invasions and ecosystem management and conservation in most other regions.

PART 1: BACKGROUND

Chapter 1:Biological invasions in South Africa: An overview
Chapter 2:A brief, selective history of researchers and research initiatives related to biological invasions in South Africa
PART 2: BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA
Chapter 3: The biogeography of South African terrestrial plant invasions
Chapter 4:Invasive alien aquatic plants in freshwater ecosystems
Chapter 5: Terrestrial Vertebrate Invasions in South Africa
Chapter 6: Alien freshwater fauna in South Africa
Chapter 7: Alien terrestrial invertebrates in South Africa
Chapter 8:Biological invasions in South Africa's offshore sub-Antarctic territories
Chapter 9:Coastal invasions: The South African context
Chapter 10:Pathogens of vertebrate animals as invasive species: Insights from South Africa
Chapter 11:Biological invasions in South Africa's urban ecosystems: Patterns, processes, impacts and management
PART 3: DRIVERS OF INVASION
Chapter 12:South Africa's pathways of introduction and dispersal and how they have changed over time
Chapter 13:The role of environmental factors in promoting and limiting biological invasions in South Africa
Chapter 14: Biotic interactions as mediators of biological invasions: Insights from South Africa
PART 4: IMPACTS OF INVASION
Chapter 15:Impacts of invasions on terrestrial water resources in South Africa
Chapter 16:The impact of invasive alien plants on rangelands in South Africa
Chapter 17: An evaluation of the impacts of alien species on biodiversity in South Africa using different methods
PART 5: MANAGEMENT OF INVASIONS
Chapter 18:Biological invasion policy and legislation development and implementation in South Africa
Chapter 19: More than a century of biological control against invasive alien plants in South Africa: a synoptic view of what has been accomplished
Chapter 20:Analysing the risks posed by biological invasions to South Africa
Chapter 21:The extent and effectiveness of alien plantcontrol projects in South Africa
Chapter 22:Experience and lessons from alien and invasive animal control projects carried out in South Africa
Chapter 23: Biological invasions and ecological restoration in South Africa
Chapter 24: The social dimensions of biological invasions in South Africa
Chapter 25: Education, training and capacity building in the field of biological invasions in South Africa
PART 6: NEW INSIGHTS.-  Chapter 26: South Africa as a donor of naturalized and invasive alien plants to other parts of the world
Chapter 27: South Africa as a donor of alien animals
Chapter 28: Knowing-doing continuum or knowing-doing gap? Transferring research results to managers of biological invasions in South Africa
Chapter 29:Biological invasions as a component of South Africa's global change research effort
Chapter 30:South Africa's Centre for Invasion Biology: An experiment in invasion science for society
PART 7: THE WAY FORWARD
Chapter 31:Potential futures of biological invasions in South Africa.