Brambles Invasion: SA Closer To Natural Fix
Researchers explore biological control to manage invasive brambles that have been spreading across South Africa since the early 1900s, smothering young trees and disrupting wildlife
Invasive alien brambles have been spreading across South Africa since the early 1900s, originating from North America and Europe. All brambles fall within the genus Rubus, and have crept into tree plantations, pastures and native grasslands, causing significant problems.
Dense, thorny thickets of brambles impede livestock and wildlife movement, restrict access to water, and smother young trees used for timber. They also interfere with plantation management and disrupt roadsides, making them one of the most widespread and damaging weeds in the country.
The impact of brambles goes beyond agricultural damage, as they displace native vegetation and negatively affect specialist flower visitors like butterflies. Traditional chemical and mechanical controls have proven ineffective due to the sheer scale of the invasions, high costs, and the plant's ability to resprout from rootstocks or re-emerge from bird-dispersed seeds.
## What changed Researchers in South Africa are now exploring biological control (biocontrol) as a potential solution to manage invasive brambles. Biocontrol involves introducing specialized natural enemies from the plant's native range to suppress its growth or reproduction. A research team has published a study into brambles in South Africa to start answering questions about the weed and its natural enemies.
## Why it matters The introduction of a natural enemy to manage invasive brambles could provide a much-needed solution to the problem. With traditional control methods proving ineffective, biological control offers a promising alternative. The success of this approach could have significant benefits for the environment, agriculture, and wildlife in South Africa.
The study into brambles in South Africa is a crucial step towards finding a natural enemy to manage the invasive weed. As researchers continue to explore biological control, they may be able to find a solution that can effectively suppress the growth and reproduction of brambles, reducing their impact on the environment and economy.
