The CIB is an inter-institutional Centre of Excellence established in 2004 within the DST-NRF Centres of Excellence Programme. Its members undertake research on the biodiversity consequences of biological invasions, largely through post-graduate student training. The principal aims of the Centre's work are to reduce the rates and impacts of biological invasions by furthering scientific understanding and predictive capability, and by developing research capacity.

The C•I•B played a significant role in the drafting of the Regulations for the implementation of National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, particularly with regards to developing the Regulations and lists of species that should be prohibited from entering the country, controlled in the country (i.e. removed) and species whose movement should be restricted to particular areas (Chapter 5 of the Act). This included developing the necessary protocols for risk assessment when importing/breeding with/growing/keeping an alien species in South Africa.

Secondly, the research on alien plant invasions undertaken by the C•I•B has had direct and immediate impact on policies of the Department of Water Affairs Working for Water programme. This includes a scheme for classifying invasive alien plant species in South Africa for the purpose of prioritising species and areas for management action. This now forms the foundation for national-scale planning of the Working for Water programme. The work is also used by the “Early detection and eradication” programme (a joint initiative of the Working for Water programme and the South African Biodiversity Institute).

Furthermore, the C•I•B is impacting on management of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Islands through the Antarctic Treaty System (South Africa is one of the original signatories, along with 12 other countries), and has produced a detailed overview for ecological risk assessment of genetically modified organisms in South Africa.

Contact Person: Prof Steven Chown
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Website link: http://academic.sun.ac.za/cib/