Abstract
Abstract This chapter examines current knowledge relating to the human and social dimensions of biological invasions in South Africa. We do so by advancing 12 propositions and examining the evidence for or against each using South African literature. The propositions cover four broad issues: how people cause invasions; how they conceptualise them; effects of invasive species on people; and peoples’ responses to them. The propositions we assess include: (1) intentional introductions were and continue to reflect the social ethos of the time; (2) people go to great lengths to ensure that newly introduced species establish themselves; (3) human-mediated modifications help invasive species to establish; (4) how people think about and study invasive species is strongly shaped by social-ecological contexts; (5) knowledge and awareness of invasive species is low amongst the general public; (6) personal values are the primary factor affecting perceptions of invasive alien species and their control; (7) specific social-ecological contexts mediate how invasive species affect people; (8) research on social effects of invasive species primarily focuses on negative impacts; (9) the negative social impacts of invasive species on local livelihoods are of more concern to people than impacts on biodiversity; (10) people are less willing to manage species regarded as ‘charismatic’; (11) social heterogeneity increases conflicts around the management of biological invasions; and (12) engagement with society is key to successful management. By advancing and questioning propositions, we were able to determine what is known, provide evidence for where gaps lie, and thus identify areas for future research.
Highlights
Research that addresses the human and social dimensions of invasion science is crucial for understanding and responding to biological invasions as people are involved in all parts of the introduction-naturalisation-invasion-response continuum (Head 2017; Shackleton et al 2019a)
We found evidence supporting that charisma can affect people’s attitudes towards invasive species management, in South Africa attitudes are dependent on the economic benefits of invasive alien species and personal value systems
The 12 propositions correspond to 4 broad issues in which research on the human and social dimensions of invasion science can help to improve understanding and guide management responses: (1a,b,c) how people cause invasions, (2a,b,c) how people conceptualise and perceive invasions, (3a,b,c) the effects of invasions on people, and (4a,b,c) how people respond to invasions
Summary
Research that addresses the human and social dimensions of invasion science is crucial for understanding and responding to biological invasions as people are involved in all parts of the introduction-naturalisation-invasion-response continuum (Head 2017; Shackleton et al 2019a). There are many research gaps and missed opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration which is necessary to truly advance and address pressing challenges in dynamic and varied contexts (Vaz et al 2017a; Abrahams et al 2019). Shackleton et al (2019a) recently highlighted four broad issues in which research on the human and social dimensions of invasion science can help to improve understanding and guide management responses. These four areas are: (1) how people cause invasions, (2) how people conceptualise and perceive invasions, (3) the effects of invasions on people, and (4) how people respond to invasions. The propositions are not specific to South Africa, but the relative richness of research on biological invasions in the country offers a reasonable first opportunity to investigate them
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