CONTROL OF INVASIVE ALIEN PLANT SPECIES AT WOLKBERG PROJECT IN LIMPOPO PROVINCE By Matsila Sydwell Nyadzani Student number: 11511785 Dissertation Submitted to the Department of Ecology and Resource Management, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Venda in fulfillment of the requirements of Masters of Environmental Sciences. Supervisor : DR T NELWAMONDO Co-supervisor : MR. LIGAVHA- MBELENGWA M H February 2018 i TABLE OF CONTENT Contents Page Number DECLARATION ................................................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................. vi ABSTRACT......................................................................................................................................... vii ACRONYMS ...................................................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background of the study.................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Problem statement ............................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Research questions ........................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Objectives .................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4.1 Main objective ................................................................................................................. 4 1.4.2 Specific objectives ......................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Hypothesis ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.6 Delimitation of Study area ............................................................................................... 5 1.6.1 Location ........................................................................................................................ 5 1.6.2 Climatic condition ...................................................................................................... 7 1.6.3 Hydrology ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.6.4 Geology and topography ......................................................................................... 8 1.6.5 Other activities ............................................................................................................ 9 1.7 Rationale of the study ....................................................................................................... 9 1.8 Definition of key concepts ............................................................................................. 10 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .................................................................................... 11 2.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 11 2.2 Perspective on invasive alien species ....................................................................... 12 2.2.1 Invasive alien plants at global level .................................................................... 12 2.2.2 Invasive alien plants at a national level ............................................................. 13 2.2.3 Invasive alien plants at a local level .................................................................... 16 2.3 Types and characteristics of invasive alien plants ................................................. 18 ii 2.4 The impact of invasive alien plant species ............................................................... 19 2.4.1 Environmental impacts of invasive alien plants .............................................. 20 2.4.2 Economic impacts of invasive alien plants ....................................................... 21 2.4.3 Social impacts of invasive alien plants .............................................................. 22 2.5 Strategies for addressing invasive alien plants. ..................................................... 23 2.5.1 International (global) strategies. .......................................................................... 23 2.5.2 National strategies ................................................................................................... 25 2.6 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................... 29 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ................................................................... 30 3.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 30 3.2 Research approach ......................................................................................................... 30 3.2.1 Qualitative approach ............................................................................................... 30 3.2.2 Quantitative approach ............................................................................................ 32 3.2.3 Mixed methods approach ...................................................................................... 33 3.3 Research design ............................................................................................................... 35 3.3.1 Convergent parallel mixed method ..................................................................... 35 3.3.2 Explanatory sequential mixed method ............................................................... 36 3.3.3 Exploratory sequential mixed method ............................................................... 36 3.4 Sampling procedure ........................................................................................................ 37 3.5 Data collection .................................................................................................................. 39 3.5.1 Data collection tools and techniques ................................................................. 40 3.6 Data analysis ..................................................................................................................... 43 3.7 Data validation and reliability/ credibility and trustworthiness ........................... 44 3.8 Research ethics ................................................................................................................ 46 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS ......................................................................................................... 47 4.1 Questionnaire .................................................................................................................... 47 4.2 Observation ....................................................................................................................... 55 4.2.1 Ebenezer Dam ........................................................................................................... 55 4.2.2 Haenertsburg Primary School .............................................................................. 58 4.2.3 Makgoebaskloof area (Richards Farm) .............................................................. 60 4.3 The secondary data ......................................................................................................... 61 CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION ...................................................................................................... 64 CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................. 74 iii 6.1 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 74 6.2 Recommendations ........................................................................................................... 76 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................... 79 APPENDIX .......................................................................................................................................... 85 Annexure 1: Written consent .................................................................................................... 85 Annexure 2: Questionnaire ....................................................................................................... 86 Annexure 3: Answers from Participants ................................................................................ 94 Annexure 4: Participants registers.......................................................................................... 95 iv DECLARATION I hereby declare that the dissertation for the Master Degree in Environmental Sciences in the School of Environmental Sciences, Department of Ecology and Resource Management, University of Venda, is my own independent work and that it has not been previously submitted to this or any other university. _________________________________________ _____________ Matsila Sydwell Nyadzani Date v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS It was not an easy journey altogether but I want to thank God